Large Deployable Space Antennas Based on Usage

of Polygonal Pantograph
A. G. Cherniavsky1; V. I. Gulyayev2; V. V. Gaidaichuk3; and A. I. Fedoseev4

Abstract: This paper describes large space antenna projects based on application of a closed polygonal pantograph truss used for
transforming, deploying, and prestressing the reflector structure. Their reflecting surfaces represent a flexible mesh fabric. Two means of
Downloaded from ascelibrary.org by New York University on 05/18/15. Copyright ASCE. For personal use only; all rights reserved.

maintaining the surface are discussed herein. The first technique is associated with employment of forces of the gravity field gradient. The
second is based on the use of a flexible carcass prestressed by internal forces applied to the pantograph. Reflectors of the second kind have
a rather complicated mechanical structure depending on the way of their attachment to a carrier. Provisions are made for supporting the
reflector by an articulated arm linked with its central interface and through the use of tube beams, supporting the reflector periphery
structures. During the design of the reflectors, special attention was paid to the problems of their structural simulations at the stages of
their launching, deployment, and orbital motion. The deployable antennas considered can be enabling elements for many space missions
ranging from communications to other satellite systems, including radar, remote sensing, interferometry, wireless power transmission, etc.
They exhibit an enhanced stiffness of structure, required for the digit tele- and radio-communication and navigation, which makes it
possible to diminish ray scattering, to raise the power of the accepted signals, and to prevent frequency losses.
DOI: 10.1061/共ASCE兲0893-1321共2005兲18:3共139兲
CE Database subject headings: Aerospace engineering; Communication; Antennas; Reflection.

Introduction The basic structural device of the deployable antennas is a

A rich variety of applications is expected in the future for large
space antenna reflectors for uses ranging from communications to
many other satellite systems. Traditionally, the plans for space
antenna creation have been considered as a single launch mission
with no in-orbit assembly operations. Three possible technologies
can be used for forming the reflecting surface of the antenna:
inflatable, flexible mesh, and solid material structures. All three
options require in-orbit deployment of the antenna and are asso-
ciated with the launch capability 共ferrying size兲, which is a limi-
tation for each type of technology in terms of stowage volume
and resulting antenna dimensions.
The SPA EGS 共Moscow兲 specializes in design and manufac-
ture of large deployable antennas 共LDA兲 for communication sat-
ellites whose life-in-service comprises no less than 15 years
共Chernyavsky et al. 2002; Gulyayev et al. 1990, 1994兲. For the
purpose of installation on geostationary satellites, the SPA EGS
designed a series of parabolic antennas with mesh reflectors dif-
fering by their dimensions and means of supporting, stowing,
deploying, and prestressing.
1 son the considered antennas possess very simple structures and
SPA EGS, Building 4, Zemlyanoy Val 56, Moscow 109004, Russia.
E-mail: cherniav@space.eu
2
EGS–Mathematical Modeling Ltd., 5, Prirechnaya Str., Apart. 736,
Kiev 04213, Ukraine. E-mail: gulyayev@mail.kar.net
3
EGS–Mathematical Modeling Ltd., 5, Prirechnaya Str., Apart. 736,
Kiev 04213, Ukraine.
4
SPA EGS, Building 4, Zemlyanoy Val 56, Moscow 109004, Russia.
Note. Discussion open until December 1, 2005. Separate discussions
must be submitted for individual papers. To extend the closing date by
one month, a written request must be filed with the ASCE Managing
Editor. The manuscript for this paper was submitted for review and pos-
sible publication on July 6, 2004; approved on July 6, 2004. This paper is
part of the Journal of Aerospace Engineering, Vol. 18, No. 3, July 1,
2005. ©ASCE, ISSN 0893-1321/2005/3-139–145/$25.00.
closed polygonal pantograph truss with a special kinematically
compatible system of hinges permitting the device to fold all the
facets simultaneously and to stow the antenna structure. Kinemat-
ics and dynamics of the deployment process depend on the struc-
ture of the antenna support. If the central part of the antenna is
supported by one central cantilever rod with flexible radial links,
the whole system is wound on the rod and rotates around it to-
gether with the pantograph during the deployment process. If the
supporting constraints are imposed on the pantograph truss, the
system deployment is associated with radial expansion of the pan-
tograph and rotation of the reflector central part.
The antenna reflector surface represents a flexible mesh fabric.
Two means of surface maintaining are proposed. The first means
is founded on the use of a flexible carcass structure prestressed by
internal forces applied to the pantograph. Depending on the re-
flector support and trimming, the carcass can have comparatively
moderate or high stiffness. The second technique for maintaining
the reflecting surface is associated with employment of the forces
of the gravity field gradient. This technique is appropriate for very
large antennas without supporting carcass structures. For this rea-
extremely small masses; they do not require additional energy for
system prestessing, and their link stresses do not relax.
At the present time, a parabolic antenna with a largest dimen-
sion exceeding 14 m is being manufactured and tested. It was
developed jointly by SPA EGS 共Russia兲 and Alenia Spazio 共Italy兲
in the framework of tender from the European Space Agency. It
exhibits the enhanced stiffness of structure that is required for
digit tele- and radio-communication and navigation, which makes
it possible to diminish ray scattering, to raise the power of ac-
cepted signals, and to prevent frequency losses. The indicated
properties are also provided by the antenna reflecting surface
structure 共reflector兲, which is manufactured from a mesh fabric,

JOURNAL OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING © ASCE / JULY 2005 / 139

J. Aerosp. Eng. 2005.18:139-145.

Downloaded from ascelibrary.org by New York University on 05/18/15. Copyright ASCE. For personal use only; all rights reserved.

Fig. 1. Parabolic reflector deployed during space experiment

woven from a gilded tungsten wire of l5 microns diameter. The
on-orbit experiment “Reflector,” involving deployment and struc-
tural analysis of this antenna progenitor 共Fig. 1兲, was successfully
performed by the Rocket Space Corporation ENERGIA and SPA
EGS onboard Mir space station in July 1999 共Medzmariashvili et
al. 2000兲. It confirmed reliability of the elaborated technology. In
this paper, different design schemes of large deployable antennas
are discussed, and their advantages and their disadvantages are
analyzed.
Kinematic Scheme of the Polygonal Pantograph
Fig. 2. Plane pantograph truss in 共a兲 folded and 共b兲 stretched out
states
the domain of the ABCD section 关Fig. 3共a兲兴, the hinge axes are
perpendicular to the facet plane 关Fig. 3共b兲兴, while in the adjacent
sections, the hinge axes are perpendicular to the planes of their
own facets. Thus, the introduction of additional hinges with ap-
propriate orientations of their axes eliminates the kinematic in-
compatibility of motion of the polygonal truss links and converts
it into a 1 DOF mechanism. As seen in Fig. 3共a兲, if the hinge
members FC and GA are coming together, the polygon ring di-
ameter is enlarging, and vice versa. If the distance between the

The polygonal truss ring of the reflector is its basic carrying struc-
ture, serving not only for supporting the reflector, but also for
imparting the prescribed shape to the whole system and providing
the required stiffness to its reflecting surface through prestressing
all the flexible links.
For the purpose of analysis of the kinematic structure of the
polygonal pantograph, first consider one of the sections of a plane
pantograph 关Fig. 2共a兲兴, which includes two continuous rigid links
AB and CD. At the point E of their crossing, the links are con-
nected by a hinge without disrupting their continuity. At the end
points A, B, C, and D, the links AB and CD are hinged to the
analogous rigid links of the adjacent sections. If the axes of all the
hinges are perpendicular to the pantograph plane, then the rota-
tional and translational motions of all the links are compatible and
the system constitutes a 1 degree of freedom 共DOF兲 mechanism.
In this case, if the pantograph height H diminishes, the lengths L
of the sections and the length of the whole truss enlarges 关Fig.
2共b兲兴. But if at least an axis of one of the hinges is not parallel to
the axes of other hinges, the system becomes geometrically non-
variable and cannot change its shape, inasmuch as a rigid link
cannot remain in the same plane and simultaneously rotate rela-
tive to two nonparallel axes.
The indicated property of the hinge axes of a plane pantograph
truss renders the function of a polygonal pantograph impossible,
as hinge axes cease to be parallel inside the limits of every sec-
tion. To obviate this impediment, additional hinge members
should be incorporated at joints of the rod ends 共Fig. 3兲, joining
adjacent sections. Because of this, in every hinge member two
hinges are installed 关A and G, C and F; Fig. 3共a兲兴 instead of one
hinge 共A and C兲 used at joints of the plane pantograph 共Fig. 2兲. In Fig. 3. Closed polygonal pantograph

140 / JOURNAL OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING © ASCE / JULY 2005

J. Aerosp. Eng. 2005.18:139-145.

 members is fixed the truss is transformed into a rigid structure. In
the deployable reflector, this structure plays the role of a force
member supporting the reflector carcass and prestressing the re-
flecting surface.

Gravity Gradient Antenna

As mentioned previously, the transformable pantograph polygon

can be used as a rigid member supporting the reflective surface.
As this takes place, the antenna structure depends on the method
of its flexible members’ prestressing. Its simplest scheme is at-
tained if the gravity gradient forces are used to sustain its required Fig. 4. Gravity gradient antennas
Downloaded from ascelibrary.org by New York University on 05/18/15. Copyright ASCE. For personal use only; all rights reserved.

shape and to maintain the predetermined attitude of the system.

To demonstrate the idea, consider a particle of mass m moving in
a circular trajectory around the Earth. It is subjected to action of
the gravity force
mM
f gr = − ␥ 共1兲
r2
and the centrifugal inertia force
f in = m␻2r 共2兲
Here, M=Earth’s mass; ␥=gravity constant; r=particle trajectory
radius; and ␻=angular velocity of the particle motion around the
Earth.
These forces are completely equilibrated, so
mM
␥ = m␻2r
r2
But the situation becomes somewhat more complicated when a
body with finite dimensions moves in a circular orbit. In this case,
elementary forces ⌬f gr and ⌬f in act on its every element of mass
⌬m, and only the resultant forces Fgr and Fin equilibriate each
other in its center of mass or gravity 共COG兲, while the elementary
forces acting on an element situated off the orbit line result in an
unbalanced force, radially directed. Indeed, let an element of
mass m be radially displaced over the distance ⌬r relative to the
system COG. Then the resultant radial force f = f gr + f in attains the
increment
2. The system does not contain unneeded carcass and details
associated with supporting and prestressing the structure, be-
cause there is not a particular perturbing force. Thus, the
reflector structure is very simple.
3. The gravity gradient forces are infinitesimally small, so there
is no need to provide essential strength to the pantograph
truss 1 and connecting threads 3. Because of this the system
links can be very slender, and the system’s mass can be
comparatively small.
The indicated features of the antenna can be manifested more
conspicuously with enlargement of its dimensions.
Large Antennas with Maintaining Carcass
If an antenna has intermediate dimensions and its attitude is var-
ied during operation, it should be provided with a trimming
mechanism and equipped with a carcass ensuring its stiffness. In
this case, the antenna design scheme depends on its means of
support. One of these is associated with the use of a central tube
rod carrying the whole structure 共Gulyayev et al. 1994兲. This is
shown in Fig. 5. The main units of the antenna are reflecting
surface 1, which is supported by carcass ribs 4 and supporting
struts 3, pantograph polygon 2 closing the supporting carcass, and
supporting central rod 5 attaching the carcass to carrying device
6, which is used for antenna control and trimming. This device is
mounted on a steerable and deployable articulated mechanical
arm. The receiving-transmitting device is outside the reflector

⌬f =
⳵
⳵r
冉
共f gr + f in兲 · ⌬r
2␥mM
r3
冊
+ m␻2 · ⌬r 共3兲
structure in the considered scheme.
In the design of antenna reflectors, it is usually assumed that
the pantograph truss consists of 24 plane sections, allowing one to
This force points away from the Earth’s center, if ⌬r is positive, consider it in simplified calculations as a truss ring. Ribs 4 are
and is directed toward the center, if ⌬r is negative. Then, if it is
assumed that the antenna consists of pantograph polygon 1, re-
flector mesh 2, transforming block 4, and connecting threads 3
关Fig. 4共a兲兴, the distributed forces acting on the reflecting mesh 2
will prestress it and provide its required shape, whereas the re-
sultant force ⌬F acting on the transforming block 4 will prestress
the connecting threads 3 and stabilize the radially oriented posi-
tion of the whole system. This device can be used as just a com-
munication antenna 关Fig. 4共a兲兴, or, alternatively, as a space radar
or a power transmitter 关Fig. 4共b兲兴.
It is significant to note the advantages of this antenna device:
1. The system does not contain a trimming device, because its
position is stabilized by the gravity gradient forces, so there
is no need to control the system and provide its dynamic
stiffness. Fig. 5. Deployable antenna with central rod interface

JOURNAL OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING © ASCE / JULY 2005 / 141

J. Aerosp. Eng. 2005.18:139-145.

Downloaded from ascelibrary.org by New York University on 05/18/15. Copyright ASCE. For personal use only; all rights reserved.
Fig. 6. Kinematic scheme of rotational vibration of pantograph ring
made of composite materials and their thickness does not exceed
0.2 mm, permitting them to be bent by small forces and wind on
central tube 5.
The large-scale reflector has a rather complicated mechanical
structure; in this connection, during its design special emphasis is
placed on the problems of its structural simulations, including the
questions of theoretical analysis of its deployment as well as
mathematical modeling of its dynamics and stability at the stages
of its launch and orbital motion.
The reflector structure represents a system of very flexible and
rigid links joined into one structural unit and mounted on a central
interface tube. Its overall stiffness is provided through prestress-
ing its flexible members. In the course of functioning, the reflec-
tor does not experience the action of active forces, and the single
source of its dynamic influence is exposure to inertia forces gen-
erated by the prescribed motion of the platform, where it is in-
stalled.
For this reason one of the most important characteristics of the
reflector is its dynamic stiffness, which is associated with its abil-
ity to withstand dynamic perturbations during carrier maneuvers
and trimming procedures. It is defined by values of the frequen-
cies of the reflector’s free vibrations. The lowest frequency of the
system’s free vibrations is assumed as a generalized mechanical
criterion defining the system’s static and dynamic stiffness,
which, according to the technical specification, should not be less
than 1 Hz. This frequency value is also used by way of a dynamic
criterion of the reflector static stability with respect to the level of
the field of prestressing forces.
As the results of the structure modal analysis testify, the criti-
cal vibrations of the system are connected with its torsional
modes. This feature is conditioned by radial directions of the ribs,
whereas, for example, in a bicycle wheel its spokes are arranged
with some angle relative to the radii, providing its torsional stiff-
ness. Indeed, consider a simplified scheme of the reflector carcass
共Fig. 6兲, where polygon ring 1 is elastic, rib spokes 2 共only one
rib is shown兲 and internal support 3 are absolutely rigid, and the
AB rib is connected by hinges with the central support and the
ring at points A and B. Then the system is instantly geometrically
variable, and its frequency values equal zero.
The attempts to avoid the zero frequency through prestressing
the ribs are not effective in our case, as the radius r of support 3
is essentially smaller than the radius R of ring 1. To substantiate
this statement, assume that the AB rib is prestressed by the inter-
nal force N and calculate the frequency of rotational vibration of
142 / JOURNAL OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING © ASCE / JULY 2005
J. Aerosp. Eng. 2005.18:139-145.
Fig. 7. Reflector with central tube interface
the ring relative to the center O of the system. The vibration
equation can be written as follows:
I␸¨ = M 共4兲
Here, I=polar inertia moment of the system relative to its center
O; ␸=angle of the ring rotation relative to this center; and
M=moment of internal prestressing forces N in the ribs, which are
taken to be constant.
The moment M is calculated through the formula
M=− 兺 N · r · sin ␺ 共5兲
where ␺=angle between the N direction and the corresponding
radius.
It can be taken for small vibrations that
␺共R − r兲 ⬇ ␸R
and sin ␺ ⬇ ␺. Then, Eq. 共4兲 is transformed as follows:
Rr
I␸¨ + 兺 N · R − r␸ = 0 共6兲
Eq. 共6兲 defines the frequency
k= 冑 兺N
I
·
Rr
R−r
共7兲
This formula testifies that the rotational frequency depends on
the internal forces N in the ribs and the radius r of the central
support. If N = 0, one has k = 0, so the reflector with radial spokes
can function in the prestressed state only. The value r is usually
much smaller than R in our designs; because of this it can be
assumed that R ⬇ R − r by convention, and Eq. 共7兲 is transformed
as follows:
k⬇ 冑 兺N
I
r 共8兲
Eq. 共8兲 attests that it is quite desirable to enlarge the central tube
radius, at least locally in the place of the ribs’ attachment, or to
include additional links, which are not directed radially.
The more perfect calculations based on finite-element models
corroborated these conclusions. For this reason, in the designed
reflector 1 关Fig. 7共a兲兴, additional foldable levers 4 attached by
closing hinges to central tube 2 and connected by cables 3 with
the pantograph ring were included 关Fig. 7共b兲兴, which permitted
enlargement of the reflector’s rotational frequency up to 1.7 Hz.
The reflector modal analysis was performed in two stages. In
the first stage, the nonlinear problem of static prestressing was
solved. In the second stage the truncated spectrum 共up to 100 first
Downloaded from ascelibrary.org by New York University on 05/18/15. Copyright ASCE. For personal use only; all rights reserved.
Fig. 8. Reflector carcass with thread web
values兲 of the natural frequencies and natural modes was calcu-
lated through the use of a finite-element model constructed by the
way of linearization of the nonlinear constitutive differential
equations in the vicinity of the prestressed state.
Another way of enlarging the frequency relates to inclusion of
an additional thread triangular web 1 between radial ribs 2 inside
pantograph polygon 3 共Fig. 8兲. This design scheme allows us to
simplify the reflector structure, to decrease its mass, and to in-
crease its frequency of rotational vibration from 1.7 to 2.4 Hz;
however, it has one disadvantage related to difficulties in reflector
stowage.
In operation, the platform where the reflector is installed
changes its attitude in space and displaces in the predetermined
directions with predetermined linear and angular accelerations. In
this connection, the problem of analysis of the reflector structure
deformations under the action of inertia forces of the reference-
frame accelerations was set up and calculated. Thereupon the cal-
culated values of displacements of the reflector surface node
points were used for analysis of the distortion of its geometry and
the accuracy of its radio-optic parameters.
The problem of the reflector structure’s equilibrium stability
under the action of the initial prestressing forces was solved as
well. The possibilities of local buckling in the system’s separate
members and general stability loss of the whole structure along
with pantograph truss deformation and essential distortion of the
reflecting surface shape were analyzed. It was established that the
structure had a sufficient reserve of stability.
The influence of the thermal fields on the static and dynamic
behavior of the reflector in the conditions of space environment
was also analyzed. It was shown that, owing to the use of carbon
plastic materials with small values of coefficients of linear ther-
mal expansion for the structure members, its thermal distortions
were not essential.
From the time of antenna launch and transportation to the
terminal orbit, its structure is compactly folded in such a way that
the pantograph ring diameter is reduced approximately 20 times
and the ribs are wound on the central tube. At the site of destina-
tion, the antenna is deployed. The deployment sequence foresees
two different phases: arm deployment and unfurling of the reflec-
tor. Unwrapping of the reflector structure is performed through
ring diameter enlargement by decreasing the pantograph rhombs’
vertical diagonals with the use of a system of actuator pulleys and
cables. In doing so the rhombs’ diagonals lying in the ring plane
enlarge, causing enlargement of the ring diameter. The wound ribs
are stretched by the expanding ring and resist this expansion,
JOURNAL OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING © ASCE / JULY 2005 / 143
J. Aerosp. Eng. 2005.18:139-145.
Fig. 9. Kinematic scheme of carcass unfurling
which results in their unwinding, initiating rotation of the ring
around the axis of the central tube. As this takes place, two groups
of the reflector structure’s flexible members become critical dur-
ing the deployment process. These are the actuator gear flexible
cables and the unwinding flexible ribs. It is clear that these mem-
bers should be preloaded by tensile internal forces to avoid their
loosening and jamming. Preloading of the ribs also provides for a
stable position of the structure of the unfurling reflector relative to
the central tube. In order to be certain that these links are pre-
stressed during the deployment process, a special mathematical
model of this stage was elaborated and was thereupon used for
verification.
The kinematic scheme of deployment of the pantograph and
ribs is shown in Fig. 9. Here, 1 is the pantograph contour in the
packed state, 2 is the pantograph outline in an intermediate state,
and 3 is the outline of one of the ribs in the intermediate state.
With the aim of choosing the reflector structure’s unwrapping
regime, thus ensuring its uniform and stable dynamics, math-
ematical simulation of the aforementioned phenomena was per-
formed.
In the mathematical model elaboration, it was assumed that the
unwound parts of the flexible ribs 共segment CB in Fig. 9兲 were
prestressed by stretching forces and retained their rectilinear
shape during the whole process. The validity of this assumption
was checked during calculations; if it was not satisfied, the de-
ployment regime was considered to be unstable and it was re-
jected and changed for another one providing the stability.
This conjecture allows one to consider the reflector as a 1 DOF
system and to use the differential form of the theorem of change
of the system kinetic energy for theoretical simulation of its dy-
namics. It affirms that the first derivative in time of the kinetic
energy of a mechanical system is equal to the sum of the powers
of all external and internal forces and is written in the form
dT
dt
= 兺 Ne + 兺 Ni = M␻ + 兺 ␴␧˙ − 兺 Fv 共9兲
Here, T=system kinetic energy; t=time; Ne=external force power;
Ni=internal force power; M=actuator drive moment; ␻=actuator
angular velocity; ␴=internal elastic stresses in the ribs; ␧˙ =velocity
of their strain changes; F=internal friction forces; and v=their
velocities.
In the numerical analysis, it was prescribed that the initial
diameter of the pantograph package 2R0 = 0.58 m, while after de-
ployment it achieved the value 2R = 9.7 m; the reflector mass in-
Downloaded from ascelibrary.org by New York University on 05/18/15. Copyright ASCE. For personal use only; all rights reserved.
Fig. 10. Ring angular velocity versus time function 共kinematic
deployment兲
volved in motion equaled 63.4 kg, and the angular velocity of the
actuator motor providing the deployment was ␻ = 2.5 rpm.
Fig. 10 illustrates the diagram of change in time of the panto-
graph angular velocity ␸˙ . It can be seen that this function has two
segments of peak values at the start and final time instants. The
first peak is the result of flattening the shock effect, which occurs
when the rotation begins instantly. The second peak is condi-
tioned by completion of the ribs unwinding and their arrangement
in the radial directions.
The graph of change of the internal force N in the ribs during
deployment is shown in Fig. 11. As the force is positive, it can be
concluded that the ribs are prestressed by tensile forces, the un-
wound parts retain their rectilinear shape, their lengths are the
same, and they provide stability of the deployment process. At the
same time, the N function has also two peaks. To smooth these
nouniformities in the deployment process, the angular velocity ␻
is specially adjusted.
Note also that there are points in the curves of Figs. 10 and 11
where the first derivatives of the considered functions are discon-
tinuous. The effect of this singularity takes place at the instant
when unwinding of the ribs is completed, but the ribs have no
time to take the radial position.
Another constructional feature of the considered process of
reflector deployment involves its ability to slow its rotation down
smoothly when the actuator motors are temporarily disconnected
Fig. 11. Function of ribs prestressing in kinetic deployment
144 / JOURNAL OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING © ASCE / JULY 2005
J. Aerosp. Eng. 2005.18:139-145.
Fig. 12. Reflector with tripod support
from the electrical supply. It is associated with steadily increasing
the system momentum moment. The equation of rotation of the
deployed part of the reflector can be written in the form
dK d2␸ dI d␸
=I 2 + · = M act 共10兲
dt dt dt dt
where K = I␻⫽momentum moment of the deployed masses of the
structure; I=its inertia moment; ␸=angle of the pantograph rota-
tion; and M act=active moment driving the reflector.
The M act moment equals zero if the actuator motors are deen-
ergized for a while; then, Eq. 共10兲 is reduced to the form
d 2␸ dI d␸
I 2 =− · 共11兲
dt dt dt
Here the terms dI / dt and d␸ / dt are positive as the values I and ␸
enlarge in deployment; thus, d2␸ / dt2 is negative, the rotation is
retarding, and the actuator stop is not dangerous for the deploy-
ment process. This conclusion was corroborated by more compre-
hensive calculations.
The pantograph reflector discussed earlier has a special aspect
related to the scheme of its central tube support. It has a deploy-
able pantograph, which, once deployed, provides forces to stretch
deployable radial blade ribs and still relies on these ribs. The
reflector is stowed in such a way that deployment is done with an
immovable center, which implies that its peripheral part together
with the pantograph accumulates the moment of momentum; thus,
the last phase of the deployment is the most critical.
The state of deeds changes essentially when the deployable
annular pantograph functions as a maintaining frame for reflector
1 and the radial blade structure is used only for backing the re-
flector mesh 共Fig. 12兲. In this case, the demands for the central
rod and the deploying arm lose their significance and these links
are changed by three supporting tube beams 2. Therewith, the
central carrying part of the reflector, which is the most pliable
substructure of the system, is removed, the whole reflector ac-
quires sufficient stiffness, and the regime of its deployment
changes essentially. The pantograph ring expands radially without
rotation during deployment, but the central elements of the reflec-
tor rotate in unwinding. Note that, as this takes place, the inertia
moment I of the rotating masses reduces and the right-hand mem-
ber in Eq. 共11兲 becomes positive. This is why the unwinding
masses of the reflector will rotate with acceleration in deploy-
ment, and it will be necessary to provide a braking device for
their retardation.
 Conclusions
Different design schemes of large deployable antennas, based on
applications of a closed polygonal transformable pantograph,
have been proposed. The simplest and least mass-consuming
structures are accomplished when the gravity field gradient forces
are utilized for provision of structural stiffness to the deployed
assembly. The other types of reflectors are characterized by en-
larged stiffness provided by the joint functioning of the panto-
graph and flexible radial blade ribs. The pantograph, once de-
ployed, still provides forces to stretch a reflector surface and a
radial blade assembly at the end of the deployment phase. Such a
structure inherently provides a framework, on top of which a
Downloaded from ascelibrary.org by New York University on 05/18/15. Copyright ASCE. For personal use only; all rights reserved.
reflector surface constructed out of thin reflecting wire mesh is
attached.
Numerical simulations, which include analyses of surface de-
formations caused by tension irregularities or temperature gradi-
ents and dynamical stiffness of a system and its behavior at the
stage of deployment, have been carried out. The advantages of the
JOURNAL OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING © ASCE / JULY 2005 / 145
J. Aerosp. Eng. 2005.18:139-145.
antenna systems are demonstrated through the numerical analysis
results.
References
Chernyavsky, A., et al. 共2002兲. “Large deployable space antenna.” Proc.,
25th ESA Antenna Workshop on Satellite Antenna Technology, Euro-
pean Space Research and Technology Center, Noordwijk, The Neth-
erlands, 215–222.
Gulyayev, V. I., Chernyavsky, A. G., Kravchenko V., Gaidaichuk V.,
Koshkin, V. L., and Kotenko, E. E. 共1990兲. “Dynamics of the system
of solid body and flexible elongated rings moving in the gravity field.”
Cosmic Res., 28共5兲, 655–663 共in Russian兲.
Gulyayev, V. I., Efremov, I. S., Chernyavsky, A. G., Koshkin, V. L.,
Bondar, V. K., and Shinkar, Y. A. 共1994兲. “Dynamics of orbital station
with elongated truss.” Cosmic Res., 31共2兲, 61–70 共in Russian兲.
Medzmariashvili, E., et al. 共2000兲.“Theoretical and ground experimental
investigations of a large-scale deployable space antenna reflector by
space experiment program ‘Reflector’.” Proc., Millennium Conf. on
Antennas and Propagation, European Space Research and Technol-
ogy Center, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 281–287.