Large deployable antenna structure for VSOP-2 mission
- Paper number
IAC-08.C2.2.5
- Author
Dr. Naoko Kishimoto, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan
- Coauthor
Dr. Ken Higuchi, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan
- Coauthor
Mr. Kousuke Kawahara, ISAS/JAXA, Japan
- Coauthor
Dr. Takahide Mizuno, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan
- Coauthor
Mr. Sumitaka Tachikawa, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan
- Coauthor
Dr. Yasuhiro Murata, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan
- Coauthor
Prof. Masato Tsuboi, ISAS/JAXA, Japan
- Coauthor
Prof. Hirobumi Saito, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan
- Coauthor
Prof. Akira Meguro, Musashi Institute of Technology, Japan
- Coauthor
Prof. Hideo Ogawa, Osaka Prefecture University, Japan
- Coauthor
Mr. Kimihiro Kimura, Osaka Prefecture University, Japan
- Coauthor
Dr. Hideki Ujihara, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Japan
- Coauthor
Dr. Hiroaki Tanaka, National Defense Academy, Japan
- Coauthor
Mr. Makoto Yoshihara, NEC TOSHIBA Space Systems (NTS), Japan
- Coauthor
Mr. Iikura Sho'ichi, NEC Aerospace Systems, Ltd., Japan
- Year
2008
- Abstract
ISAS (Institute of Space and Astronautical Science) of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) is designing a new spacecraft for the next VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometer) Space Observation Program (VSOP-2). To achieve scientific improvements from VSOP (HALCA) to VSOP-2 (ASTRO-G), the satellite design incorporates the engineering characteristics of a large-scale deployable antenna of offset Cassegrain type with observation bands of 8, 22, and 43 GHz. The antenna subsystem requires the surface accuracy of 0.4mmRMS on the main reflector named LDR (Large-scale Deployable Reflector) with about 9m in diameter. An off-axis paraboloid reflector is adopted to achieve this surface accuracy for millimeter-wave observation. The main reflector is composed of seven deployable modular antennas, and each of the modules employs a new idea of radial-rib/hoop-cable reflector construction to stretch metal mesh and to satisfy the required surface accuracy. A concept to improve the surface accuracy of mesh surfaces to fit a modularized deployable truss antenna was introduced half a decade ago, and the basic idea is the use of elastic deformation curve of ribs in combination with straight line of hoop cables in order to improve the surface accuracy and also to reduce the number of adjustment cables. The characteristic of the surface construction is expected not only to suppress pillow effect of convex curved surface, but also to avoid tangling of cables and to suppress accumulation of error of connected modules. Deployment mechanism employs the most of the LDR technology developed for JAXA's ETS-VIII satellite, which was launched in December 2006, and both of the two antennas on the ETS-VIII deployed successfully on orbit. Some prototype models of one module have been made to investigate the surface accuracy for VSOP-2 requirement. In addition, the antenna has a two-axis adjustment mechanism for the main reflector, and a three-axis adjustment mechanism for the sub-reflector in order to optimize the antenna gain after deployment in orbit. In this paper, the design and the development of the modular mesh antenna with precise surface accuracy are discussed.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.C2.2.5.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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