Design Method For Modular Units of Space Antennas Assembled On-orbit

doi:10.3901/JME.2024.13.345

Abstract

Abstract: With the rapid development of aerospace technology, single deployment space antennas can no longer meet the task requirements of large-scale antennas in major engineering projects. On-orbit assembly technology based on modular units is an effective way to achieve large-sized space antennas. The traditional design method of single modular antenna based on approximate fitting cannot accurately describe the configuration of general space antenna structure. In response to this issue, this article proposes a modular antenna unit design method based on multi configuration topology, which solves the compatibility problem of large planar antennas and reflector antennas on orbit assembly using multi configuration modular units. The results show that the antenna modular unit design method proposed can accurately simulate various antenna configurations such as planar, spherical, rotating parabolic, and parabolic cylindrical, and is a reliable technology for achieving on orbit assembly of large space antennas. Based on the above research, this article verifies the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed modular unit design method by conducting experiments on the developed prototype.

Key words: space structures, on-orbit assembly, modular units, design method, folding and unfolding

CLC Number:

TH122

LI Huanxiao, Lü Shengnan, MA Xiaofei, LI Hao, LIN Kunyang. Design Method For Modular Units of Space Antennas Assembled On-orbit[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2024, 60(13): 345-353.

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