A MODULAR CABLE-MESH DEPLOYABLE STRUCTURE FOR LARGE-SCALE SATELLITE COMMUNICATION ANTENNAS

This paper describes a concept and key technologies for a modular mesh deployable antenna. A modular concept is suggested. The advantage of the modular concept and the influence of alignment errors on the surfa ce accuracy are estimated quantitatively. The antenna reflector consis ts of a mesh surface, a cable network, and deployable truss modules. T he cable network comprises three kinds of cables-surface, tie, and bac k cables. Adjustment of tie cable lengths improves the surface accurac y. Synchronous deployment truss structures are considered as a support ing structure. Their design method, bread board models, and deployment analysis are explained.