Start Date
4-1981 8:00 AM
Description
A high-precision, extremely low mass antenna concept is currently being developed for potential deployment from the space shuttle. This innovative antenna derives its reflector surface quality from the application of electrostatic forces to tension and form a thin membrane into the desired concave reflector surface. The typical shuttle-deployed antenna would have a diameter of 100 meters and an RMS surface smoothness of 10 to 1 mm for operation at 1 to 10 GHz. NASA Langley Research Center has built and is currently testing a subscale membrane reflector portion of such an antenna. Preliminary test results and principal factors affecting surface quality are addressed. Included is the effect of the perimeter boundary, splicing of the membrane, the long scale smoothness of commercial membranes, and the spatial controllability of the membrane using voltage adjustments to alter the electrostatic forces.
Test Progress on the Electrostatic Membrane Antenna
A high-precision, extremely low mass antenna concept is currently being developed for potential deployment from the space shuttle. This innovative antenna derives its reflector surface quality from the application of electrostatic forces to tension and form a thin membrane into the desired concave reflector surface. The typical shuttle-deployed antenna would have a diameter of 100 meters and an RMS surface smoothness of 10 to 1 mm for operation at 1 to 10 GHz. NASA Langley Research Center has built and is currently testing a subscale membrane reflector portion of such an antenna. Preliminary test results and principal factors affecting surface quality are addressed. Included is the effect of the perimeter boundary, splicing of the membrane, the long scale smoothness of commercial membranes, and the spatial controllability of the membrane using voltage adjustments to alter the electrostatic forces.
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