Design And Deployment Dynamic Analysis For Space Double-layer Pantograph Antenna

In recent years, the demand for large-diameter, high-precision, high-rigidity, high-stability, lightweight satellite antennas has become more and more urgent with the future demand for complex space mission and the rapid development of space activities such as space exploration, earth observations, ocean explorations and military reconnaissance. In the paper, the key issues on reflector geometric design and pre-tension design, dynamics modeling of cable nets and deployment dynamics analysis of for double-layer pantograph mesh antennas are studied.1.Geodesic cable net structures are considered to be the best cable net configuration for space deployable antennas because of its uniform tension and shortest paths.The paper firstly studies geometric design method of a quasi-geodesic network structure. The elaborate algorithm processes are given and the feasibility of the method is verified by specific examples. Then, a form-finding algorithm of cable net structures is put forward which is based on the force density method and can get equal cable tension.2.The cable structure is one of the most common structures for space deployable mesh antennas, which is mainly divided into two categories: cable reflectors and drive ropes. Cable net reflector is the core of mesh antennas. The existing deployment failures in orbit are mainly caused by cable net reflector. In order to study the dynamics of the deployment in ADAMS, the dynamic model of cable net is established by connecting the rigid body by Bushing. The legitimacy of the dynamic model is by a specific cable net structure. The other cable structure is drive ropes. When the drive cable passes the pulley, the driving force will be attenuated. The differences between driving forces in unit may affect deployment synchronization. Based on ADAMS / Cable module, the kinetic model of the drive rope is established, which can provide reference data for antenna deployment analysis.3. In 2012, European Space Agency(ESA) presented one of the most potential space deployable antennas based on the previous antenna structure. Deployment analysis model was built and a 6m prototype was manufactured to test its performance. Firstly, the truss for this type of antenna was designed. Then the cable net geometric design, pre-tension design, and dynamic modeling method are used to analyze the impact of cable net reflector on the antenna deployment and the deployment synchronization between the units.