Foldable and unfoldable antenna reflector

摘要

An antenna reflector, for example for a satellite or spacecraft, has ribs journalled to a central body by a first journal axis. Each rib has a radially inner section tiltable and lockable relative to the central body, and a radially outer section journalled to the inner rib section at a second journal axis for tilting and locking the outer rib section relative to the inner rib section. A motor driven cable drive and respective pulleys are so arranged that the inner rib sections are first partially unfolded before the outer rib sections begin to be unfolded. The outer rib sections then are moved faster than the inner rib sections so that both rib sections reach the fully unfolded state substantially simultaneously. The folding takes place in the reverse order, whereby the outer rib sections are folded first. The reflector netting is stretched out only after the ribs have been locked into the unfolded state.