Datasets / Surface Optimization Techniques for Deployable Reflectors Project


Surface Optimization Techniques for Deployable Reflectors Project

Published By National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Issued over 9 years ago

US
beta

Summary

Type of release
a one-off release of a single dataset

Data Licence
Not Applicable

Content Licence
Creative Commons CCZero

Verification
automatically awarded

Description

Under this and several other programs, CTD has developed TEMBO<SUP>REG</SUP> deployable solid-surface reflectors (TEMBO<SUP>REG</SUP> Reflectors) to provide future NASA and Air Force missions and commercial communications satellites with large RF apertures that can operate at very high operational frequencies (Ka band and above). TEMBO<SUP>REG</SUP> Reflectors incorporate non-tensioned graphite composite membranes that are formed using conventional construction techniques and stiffened using CTD's TEMBO<SUP>REG</SUP> shape-memory composite panels to allow practical packaging and deployment without complex mechanisms. The simplicity of the design provides a significant cost advantage when compared to existing deployable reflector technologies, (4-fold cost reduction over mesh antenna and 2-fold reduction in manufacturing time) and the continuous graphite surface enables high frequency antenna operations at Ka band and above. CTD can stow either a Cassegrainian (center-fed) or Gregorian (offset-fed) 5m TEMBO<SUP>REG</SUP> Reflectors in a Falcon 1e launch vehicle. To moderate cost and fabrication time, the TEMBO<SUP>REG</SUP> reflector is supported by a deployable backing structure. In the proposed Phase II effort, CTD will further refine innovative backing structure developed in Phase I as well as to develop additional precision capability to enable both the high frequency (Ka band and above), large aperture (5 to 8 meters) performance required for near-term and future NASA programs.