Technology Assessment and Development of Large Deployable Antennas
Publication: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 6, Issue 1
Abstract
A National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) research and technology program called the large deployable antenna (LDA) program was initiated in early 1989 by NASA Langley Research Center to investigate and demonstrate the availability of critical technologies for passive microwave imagers. The NASA Office of Aeronautics, Exploration, and Technology (OAET) sponsored this research program to provide advanced sensor technologies for mission to planet Earth remote sensing applications. The goal of the OAET program is to provide the technology needed to enable and enhance the long‐term observations, documentation, and understanding of the Earth as a system. The LDA program involved university, industry, and NASA researchers and technologists with a range of skills and experience from electromagnetic theory to advanced materials and deployable structures. The study approach involved determining basic operational parameters and configurations for a geosynchronous wide‐scanning radiometer from which specific structural requirements were used as goals (rather than specifications) with which specific technologies could be evaluated. The study team performed a detailed technology review, evaluated the feasibility and technology readiness for a large dual‐reflector radiometer, and developed a system concept for a 25 m deployable radiometer. This paper describes the science objectives, reviews the current state of the art, presents electromagnetic configurations under consideration, and discusses the mechanical systems development effort.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Ard, K. E. (1985). “Design and technology study for extreme precision antenna structures.” Report; NASA CR‐174861, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio.
2.
Batchell, E. E., Bettadapur, S. S., and Coyner, J. V. (1986). “Integrated analysis system for box truss antenna mech performance.” AIAA 11th Communication Satellite Systems Conf., San Diego, Calif.
3.
Bernasconi, M. C., and Reibaldi, G. G. (1985). “Inflatable, space‐rigidized structures: Overview of applications and their technology impact.” Preprint IAF 85‐210, 36th Congress of the Int. Astronautical Federation, Stockholm, Sweden.
4.
Bernasconi, M. C., and Reibaldi, G. G. (1987). “Large inflatable space‐rigidized antenna reflectors.” IAF‐87‐315, 38th Congress of the Int. Astronautical Federation, Brighton, England.
5.
Coyner, J. V., and Batchell, E. E. (1986). “Box truss antenna technology status.” Report; NASA CP‐2447, NASA/DoD Control/Structures Interaction Technology 196, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Norfolk, Va.
6.
Coyner, J. V. (1984). “Box truss development and its applications,” Report; NASA CP‐2368, Large Space Antenna Systems Technology, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, (NASA), Washington, D.C.
7.
Coyner, J. V., and Tobey, W. (1981). “Space deployable box truss structure design.” NASA CP‐2181, 15th Aerosp. Mechanisms Symp., Marshall Space Flight Center, Ala.
8.
“Definition of large deployable space antenna structure concepts.” (1987). Master contract on aerospace and related topics, NASI‐18471, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, D.C.
9.
Dyer, J. E. (1988). “Development of a verification program for deployable truss advanced technology.” NASA CR‐181073, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
10.
Foldes, P. (1990). “Some characteristics of six alternative multi‐reflector radiometers for 6‐31 GHz GEO operation. Foldes, Inc., Wayne, Pa.
11.
Graham, A. (1989). “Technology for the mission to planet Earth.” NASA TM‐107952, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, D.C.
12.
Goslee, J. W., Hinson, W. F., and Davis, W. T. (1985). “Electrostatic forming and testing of polymer films on a 16‐foot diameter test fixture.” NASA Tech. Memorandum 86328, Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
13.
Hedgepeth, J. M., and Adams, L. R. (1983). “Design concepts for large reflector antenna structures.” NASA CR‐3663, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
14.
Hedgepeth, J. M., Miller, R. K., and Thomson, M. W. (1990). “Concepts and analysis for precision segmented reflector support structure—final report.” National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
15.
Hedgepeth, J. M. (1982). “Accuracy potentials for large space antenna reflectors with passive structure.” J. Spacecraft and Rockets, 19(3), 211–217.
16.
Hedgepeth, J. M. (1984). “Support structures for large infrared telescopes.” NASA CR‐3800, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
17.
Hedgepeth, J. M. (1981). “Critical requirements for the design of large space structures.” NASA CR‐3484, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
18.
Hedgepeth, J. M. (1982). “Influence of fabrication tolerances on the surface accuracy of large antenna structures.” AIAA J., 20(5), 680–686.
19.
Hedgepeth, J. M. (1981). “Sequential deployment of truss structures.” NASA CP‐2215, Large Space Systems Technology, Part 1, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 179–192.
20.
Hedgepeth, J. M. (1988). “Pactruss support structure for precision segmented reflectors: Final report.” AAC‐TN‐1153, Astro Aerospace Corporation, Carpinteria, Calif.
21.
Hedgepeth, J. M. (1989). “Structures for remotely deployable precision antennas, final report.” Paper No. AAC‐TN‐1154, Astro Aerospace Corp., Carpenteria, Calif.
22.
Kato, S., Takeshita, Y., Sakai, Y., Muragishi, O., Shibayama, Y., and Natori, M. (1988). “Concept of inflatable elements supported by truss structure for reflector application.” Paper No. IAF‐88‐274, 39th Cong. Int. Astronautical Fed., Bangalore, India.
23.
Kellermaier, H., Vorbrugg, H., and Pontoppidan, K. (1986). “The MBB unfurlable mesh antenna (UMA) design and development.” AIAA 11th Communication Satellite Systems Conf., San Diego, Calif.
24.
Natori, M., Shibayama, Y., and Sekine, K. (1989). “Active accuracy adjustment of reflectors through the change of element boundary.” 30th Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Mat. Conf., Mobile, Ala.
25.
Ribble, J. W., and Woods, A. A. (1981). “On the design of large space deployable modular antenna reflectors.” NASA CP‐2181, 15th Aerosp. Mechanisms Symp., Marshall Space Flight Center, Ala.
26.
Ride, S. K. (1987). “Leadership and America's future in space.” Tech. Memorandum—89638, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, D.C., 64.
27.
Skahill, G. (1988). “A dual reflector antenna scans many beamwidths without loss of gain, resolution, or sidelobe level.” Microwave J., 31(3), 129–139.
28.
“Sunflower solar collector.” (1964). Report; NASA CR‐46, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, D.C.
29.
Thomas, M., and Veal, G. (1984). “Highly accurate inflatable reflectors.” Air Force Rocket Propulsion Lab. Tech. Report 84‐021. Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
30.
Watanabe, F., Mizugutch, Y., and Yamada, M. (1984). “A beam‐steerable antenna with an offset spherical reflector for Earth station.” Proc., AIAA Communication Satellite Systems Conf., 117–124.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 6 • Issue 1 • January 1993
Pages: 34 - 54
Copyright
Copyright © 1993 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 19, 1991
Published online: Jan 1, 1993
Published in print: Jan 1993
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.