The review of designs of mirror spacecraft antennas with solid high precision size stable reflector

Abstract

The article provides an overview of designs of reflector antennas for spacecraft with solidstate precision dimensionally stable reflectors. The requirements for modern reflector antennas of spacecraft intended for the transmission of high-frequency radio signals are formulated. The features of using composite materials in manufacture of antenna reflectors in the context of their reflective capabilities are considered. The classification of reflector antennas is given. Features of the placement of antennas on a spacecraft are outlined. Multiple designs of reflectors of modern antennas are considered. Various ways of ensuring accuracy of shape and rigidity of reflectors are analyzed. Designs of antennas with a contoured service area and dichroic antennas are described. Antenna assemblies which are placed on a spacecraft and their advantages are considered. An overview of the engineering analyzes carried out during the antenna design phase is provided. The types of tests used to check the performance of spacecraft antennas are considered.

Keywords

• spacecraft
• reflector antenna
• offset antenna
• axisymmetric antenna
• composite material
• engineering analysis
• ground-based experimental testing