Scalable Concept for Reflector Antenna Assembled in Space

Abstract

Conventional deployable design approaches have size limitations due to launch fairing size. This study presents a design study of in-space assembled reflectors. Their geometry and structural design focus on mass efficiency. Scaling study of the mass and stowed volume of the reflectors establishes the feasibility of launching reflectors with aperture diameters up to 200m using commercial launch vehicles. A reflector assembly concept is proposed, that enables the assembly of large reflectors with a centralized robotic assembly factory. The proposed scheme is then demonstrated with a lab-scale prototype, proving the feasibility of the assembly concept.