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Published May 2008 | Published
Journal Article Open

Folding Large Antenna Tape Spring

Abstract

This paper presents a novel concept for a low-mass, 50-m^2-deployable, P-band dual polarization antenna that can measure terrestrial biomass levels from a spacecraft in a low Earth orbit. A monolithic array of feed and radiating patches is bonded to a transversally curved structure consisting of two Kevlar sheets. The first sheet supports the array and the other sheet supports a ground plane. The two sheets are connected by a compliant Kevlar core that allows the whole structure to be folded elastically and to spring back to its original, undamaged shape. Test pieces have been made to demonstrate both the radio frequency and mechanical aspects of the design, particularly the radio frequency performance before and after folding the structure. It is concluded that the proposed design concept has high potential for large, low-frequency antennas for low-cost missions.

Additional Information

© 2007 by O. Soykasap, S. Pellegrino, P. Howard, and M. Notter. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., with permission. Presented as Paper 1601 at the 47th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, Newport, RI, 1–4 May 2006; received 18 October 2006; revision received 4 November 2007; accepted for publication 8 November 2007. The work presented in this paper was part of an ESA-funded study of antenna technologies for operation at low frequencies (contract no. 18120/04/NL/FM under GSTP, Project Manager Peter Rinous). The project team was led by EADS Astrium (Project Manager David Hall) and included BAE Systems ATC, the Centre for Terrestrial Carbon Dynamics at Sheffield University, and the Deployable Structures Laboratory at the University of Cambridge.

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Created:
August 22, 2023
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October 16, 2023