Table 3 Comparison of planar membrane antenna structural configurations
From: Review of Large Spacecraft Deployable Membrane Antenna Structures
Type | Year | Country | Band | Frame shape | Size (m) | Area density (kg/m2) | Membrane layer No. | Deployment method | Surface flatness (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Membrane reflect array antennas | 1998 | USA | X | Circle | 1 (Aperture) | 1.2 | 2 | Inflatable booms | ±1.3 |
2000 | USA | Ka | Horseshoe | 3 (Aperture) | 1.82 | 1 | Inflatable booms | ±0.2 | |
2008 | USA | X/Ka | Rectangle | 2.2×2.2 | ~3.5 | 3 | Inflatable-rigidizable booms | ≤0.17 | |
2012 | China | L/C | Rectangle | 6×2 | – | 1 | – | – | |
Membrane phased array antennas | 2001 | USA | L | Rectangle | 3.3×1.0 | 3.3 | 3 | Inflatable-rigidizable booms | ±0.28 |
2007 | Canada | C | Rectangle | 2×3 | – | 3 | Multi-bar linkage | – | |
2011 | USA | L | Rectangle | 2.3×2.6 | – | 2 | – | – | |
2012 | Germany | P | Rectangle | 12.85×3.35 | 1.32 | 4 | CFRP booms | – |