Design Feasibility of a Deployable Membrane Reflectarray Antenna for Space Applications
N. Donners (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
Prem Sundaramoorthy – Mentor (TU Delft - Group De Breuker)
R.J. Bolt – Mentor (TNO)
Ines Uriol Balbin – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Group Uriol Balbin)
Stefano Speretta – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Space Systems Egineering)
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Abstract
This thesis investigates the feasibility of a flat deployable two-membrane reflectarray antenna for Synthetic Aperture Radar missions. Reflectarrays offer advantages over traditional parabolic antennas in terms of weight, cost, and volume efficiency due to the possibility of having a flat shape. A spring-hinged panel design is proposed and evaluated through simulations of orbital thermal loads and deployment dynamics. Solutions such as thermal coatings or additional support are also investigated.