New concepts and reflecting materials for space borne large deployable reflector antennas

Abstract

Future space missions require high precision large space borne antenna reflectors working up to Ku band radiofrequencies for telecommunications and higher frequencies for earth observation and scientific applications. The paper presents results of mechanical and electrical investigations of two from five concepts selected from an assessment of candidate reflector concepts for Ku-band frequency requirements for 4m to 8m diameter class deployable reflectors. These two reflector concepts are being developed at the Institute of lightweight Structures of TU Munich (LLB TUM) and at the Deployable Structures Laboratory of the University of Cambridge (DSL UC).