Multi-material optimization design for mesh reflector antennas considering space thermal effects

Mesh reflector antennas are widely used in space missions, and the high requirements for reflector surface accuracy should be met to achieve reasonable electromagnetic performance. However, space-borne antennas usually experience periodic thermal loads, which deteriorate the reflector surface accuracy. Under these circumstances, this study carried out the thermal analysis and developed a multi-material optimization design approach for the cable-net structure of mesh reflector antennas considering space thermal effects. First, a mechanical analysis model of the cable-net structure is established, which can be used to calculate the nodal coordinates, cable forces, and surface accuracy under the influence of variable temperatures. Second, the complementary characteristics of different materials are used. The cable-net structure is made of multiple materials to minimize the variation range of on-orbit shape errors. Finally, numerical examples and ANSYS verification demonstrated that the proposed approach effectively improved the antenna's on-orbit surface accuracy. This work provides a new approach for mesh reflector antennas considering the on-orbit performances under thermal environments in space.