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 concent is suggested. The advantage of the modular concept and the influence of alignment errors on the surface accuracy are estimated quantitatively. The antenna reflector consists of a mesh surface, a cable network, and deployable truss modules. The cable network comprises three kinds of cables–surface, tie, and back cables. Adjustment of tie cable lengths improves the surface accuracy. Synchronous deployment truss structures are considered as a supporting structure. Their design method, bread board models, and deployment analysis are explained.