Simulation and Test on Mechanical Behavior of a Deployable Membrane Antenna

Abstract

Deployable membrane structures are a new and ultra-lightweight option for large antennas installed at small research and surveillance SAR satellites. The current design uses coilable composite booms as main structural elements which have to be qualified by on-ground verification tests. These booms do not generate enough stability to carry the structures weight under earth’s gravity and therefore can not be tested at full scale level without gravity compensation mechanisms. To avoid complicated mechanisms influencing the behaviour of the antenna a new, semi-numerical verification strategy is chosen. Thus, this paper introduces the design of a membrane antenna, the simulation methods, performed tests and some basic statements on a potential verification strategy for this exemplary gossamer structure.