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Study of mechanical architectures of large deployable space antenna apertures: from design to tests

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Abstract

The technical assessment of large deployable reflector structures covering a diameter range from 4 to 50 m and RF frequencies up to Ka-Band is presented from the conceptual designs to the tests. Parametric FEM analysis tools of the concepts have been developed to study their static, modal and buckling behaviors. According to the selected conceptual design and acquired analysis results two complete breadboards with diameters of 1.6 m and 4 m based on a peripheral ring structure have been designed, manufactured and tested. Test results of both breadboards fulfilling the requirements on deployment repeatability and accuracy as well as scalability demonstrate the successful selection of a deployable ring design and large deployable antenna concept in whole.

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Acknowledgments

This work was mainly supported by the ESA/ESTEC through the TALDES project. Related staffs of Technische Universität München (Germany) and Georgian Technical University (Georgia) are gratefully acknowledged for a valuable work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Lightweight Structures, TU München, Boltzmannstraße 15, 85747, Garching, Germany

    L. Datashvili, S. Endler, B. Wei, H. Baier, H. Langer & M. Friemel

  2. Institute of Constructions, Special Systems and Engineering Maintenance, Georgian Technical University, Kostava Str. 68/b, 0171, Tbilisi, Georgia

    N. Tsignadze

  3. European Space Agency ESTEC, Keplerlaan 1, PB 299, 2200 AG, Noordwijk, The Netherlands

    J. Santiago-Prowald

Authors
  1. L. Datashvili
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  2. S. Endler
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  3. B. Wei
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  4. H. Baier
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  5. H. Langer
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  6. M. Friemel
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  7. N. Tsignadze
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  8. J. Santiago-Prowald
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Endler.

Additional information

This paper is based on a presentation at the ESA Workshop on Large Deployable Antennas, October 2–3, 2012, Noordwijk, The Netherlands.

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Datashvili, L., Endler, S., Wei, B. et al. Study of mechanical architectures of large deployable space antenna apertures: from design to tests. CEAS Space J 5, 169–184 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12567-013-0050-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12567-013-0050-9

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