PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
The objective of the project is to design, manufacture and test a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) antenna flight unit.
The following activities are covered by this project:
- Design and analysis;
- Production and test of an Engineering Model;
- Qualification of design through Qualification Model;
- Production and test of Flight Model.
Benefits
This antenna design has a smaller stowed volume and lower cost than the competition, allowing small platforms to have a SAR capability. The reflective surface is designed to maintain its shape and a complex motorised deployment system mechanism supports the functional deployment operations.
Features
• Individually motorised facets composed by scissor and sarrus mechanisms;
• Motorised geared hinge connecting a Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) arm to the Reflector Deployment structure;
• Fused wires actuators (Hold Down and Release Mechanisms (HDRM));
• CFRP stiffener element on HDRM to support the structure during launch;
• Reflecting surface in flexible moulded membrane;
• Composite cable network supporting the membrane and stiffening the structure.
Challenges
The antenna must be stowed in a very small volume against the satellite platform during launch and deployed on orbit. Once deployed, the parabolic surface of the reflector must have a shape accuracy in the order of 1mm for the antenna to perform well.
System Architecture
The system comprises a hinged positioning arm, a deployable large reflector and hold down and release mechanisms to ensure launch survival. The reflector has a ring type structure and a reflective flexible surface moulded to a parabolic shape.
Plan
The project spans from the initial concept design, to an initial evaluation via analysis and via testing of a representative in-scale model (EM), through a comprehensive qualification test campaign after design freeze (CDR) and finally an FM build, acceptance test and delivery. Several de-risking activities have been carried out in parallel to the project activities helping design decisions and addressing non-conformances found in testing.
Current Status
The project is now in FM phase with imminent FM unit delivery. Qualification test campaign showed successful results and compliance to customer requirements.
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