EDGE-SUPPORTED UMBRELLA REFLECTOR WITH LOW STOWAGE PROFILE

摘要

An umbrella-like antenna reflector assembly (12) for use on an orbiting spacecraft (14). The reflector (12) has a main rib (18) and a plurality of secondary ribs (20) each connected to a hub assembly (24) by a respective hinge mechanism (40) such that activation of the hub assembly (24) causes the reflector (12) to move between collapsed and opened configurations. The reflector (12) further has a mesh member (22) attached to the ribs (18, 20). A deployment boom (16) connects the main rib (18) of the reflector (12) to the spacecraft (14). The deployment boom (16) is operable with the main rib (18) and the spacecraft (14) to move the reflector (12) between a collapsed and stowed configuration proximate the spacecraft (14) and an open and deployed configuration outside the spacecraft (14). The storage profile is sufficiently slim to permit launching of a 6-25 meter diameter reflector attached to a full-sized spacecraft on one or more commercially available launch vehicles without the need for mid-rib hinges. A feed assembly (26) is connected to the spacecraft (14). The feed assembly (26) is offset from and operable with the mesh member (22) of the reflector (12) when the reflector (12) is in the opened and deployed configurations to receive and/or transmit radio frequency energy therefrom.