Warp knitting technology for large deployable reflector antenna mesh for space applications

Grote reflector antennes moeten opgevouwen getransporteerd worden in de neuskegel van een raket. Er is geen andere oplossing. Daarom wordt gebreid reflector materiaal gebruikt met geringe massa per meter^2. In deze publikatie wordt het brei-proces besproken, op basis van Wolfraam draad (inderdaad zoals in de gloeilamp ook wordt gebruikt). Andere mogelijkheden zijn er (Molybdenum bijv.) maar Wolfraam is wat sterker. Warp knitted metal meshes are used for a variety of applications. In particular wires with low ductility are used for large deployable reflector antennas. Processing cost and demand of materials such as Wolfram or\u3cbr/\u3eMolybdenum is due to their favourable material properties. In this paper, processes to warp knit ultrathin tungsten wires are presented with a consideration of increasing the width of the warp knitted product. The\u3cbr/\u3eproposed technology permits an increased range of yarn tension in the warp knitting process. A adequate yarn tension is essential for a mesh where the metal wire is not plastically deformed during processing. The technology used in this work is scalable to a width of 5.3 m and suitable for use for up to X band. The main objective of this work is to demonstrate and provide\u3cbr/\u3eproduction technology for metallic mesh generation across Europe

Warp knitting technology for large deployable reflector antenna mesh for space applications

Grote reflector antennes moeten opgevouwen getransporteerd worden in de neuskegel van een raket. Er is geen andere oplossing. Daarom wordt gebreid reflector materiaal gebruikt met geringe massa per meter^2. In deze publikatie wordt het brei-proces besproken, op basis van Wolfraam draad (inderdaad zoals in de gloeilamp ook wordt gebruikt). Andere mogelijkheden zijn er (Molybdenum bijv.) maar Wolfraam is wat sterker

Structural characterization and modelling of metallic mesh material for large deployable reflectors

Metallic mesh is a key component of Large Deployable Reflectors for telecommunication and Earth observation spacecraft antennas. Deep knowledge of mesh structural characteristics and the possibility to numerically simulate its behaviour are mandatory steps for its correct use in the reflectors. The mesh is strongly compliant and anisotropic; hence, a specific testing machine has been designed and built, able to stretch the specimen along two directions, with uncoupled motion laws, controlled both in force and displacement. The mechanical characterization is driven so that a numerical simulation of the mesh is derived requiring only common finite element formulations

European large deployable antenna (12 meter):development status and applications

De ontwikkeling-status en de laatste resultaten van kwalificatie testen van het 12 meter ontvouwbare reflector systeem van de grote ontvouwbare antenne worden gepresenteerd This paper presents the development and the ultimate results of the qualification activities of the 12 m unfurlable reflector assembly of the large deployable antenna (LDA), jointly developed by the Prime Contractor: g on a European technology. The paper also dedicates a section to a flight experiment (FE), which is a follow on activity of the LDA qualification, for the in orbit verification of the LDA performance. The final section of the paper provides an overview of the LDA possible applications at system level

New constructions of lightweight deployable reflectors

Creation of large size, lightweight, rigid and precision reflectors is the problem that still remains in the field of space antennas. In recent years, a voluminous work has been being conducted jointly by the European Space Agency, Munich Technical University and Georgian Technical University aiming at finding out a new structural design. The structures of the rings having a new design circular double pantograph, conical V-fold bars, unfolding springs and electrical motors, and of the flexible, geometrically unchangeable center have been elaborated and theoretically and experimentally studied within the scope of the work. The researches and tests revealed pros and cons of the new constructions. In their entirety, the structures are rigid, precision, lightweight and are capable of controlling and managing the transforming processes

New constructions of lightweight deployable reflectors

Creation of large size, lightweight, rigid and precision reflectors is the problem that still remains in the field of space antennas. In recent years, a voluminous work has been being conducted jointly by the European Space Agency, Munich Technical University and Georgian Technical University aiming at finding out a new structural design. The structures of the rings having a new design circular double pantograph, conical V-fold bars, unfolding springs and electrical motors, and of the flexible, geometrically unchangeable center have been elaborated and theoretically and experimentally studied within the scope of the work. The researches and tests revealed pros and cons of the new constructions. In their entirety, the structures are rigid, precision, lightweight and are capable of controlling and managing the transforming processes