Design of Lightweight Deployable Antennas Using the Tensegrity Principle

Large-size antennas are effective to harness significant amounts of electrical energy in order to enhance the functioning of a spacecraft. Since a rocket can only propel a spacecraft with low volume and mass into space, it becomes desirable that antennas be lightweight and have a high deployed-to-stowed ratio. A tensegrity structure comprising of cables and struts can greatly reduce the antenna mass and stowage volume. The tensegrity principle has been successfully applied to the design of cable domes in terrestrial applications such as stadia and sports arena roofs. This paper presents a new design for an antenna that is referred to herein as deployable tensegrity antenna (DTA). The modified features of the new cable-strut system and the key challenges that need to be overcome before establishing the design as a space antenna are discussed. The design enables the antenna to change focus so as to increase its adaptability and range. Static and dynamic structural behavior are examined. Furthermore, DTA has the potential to significantly enhance the performance of space antennas with appropriate control of cable stiffness to ensure accurate measurements and data collection. This research is intended to open new design possibilities for use of the tensegrity principle, modeling, analysis, and design of deployable outer-space applications.