Abstract
To ensure high-resolution image acquisition for a spaceborne parabolic synthetic aperture radar (SAR) antenna, an appropriate thermal design is important to minimize the thermal distortion of the antenna reflector in severe on-orbit thermal environments. This paper describes the results of a preliminary thermal design and the analysis of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic skin-based unfurlable parabolic reflector for use in a spaceborne SAR antenna. The effectiveness of passive thermal designs for an antenna reflector using different thermal coatings was investigated with on-orbit thermal analyses according to the various antenna look angles to derive the most suitable design for minimizing the thermal gradient of the reflector. This contributes to minimize loss in antenna gain to ensure the SAR performance. In addition, the influence of the solar panel on the thermal gradient of the reflector was also analyzed because it is also important in affecting the thermal distortion.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Wiley CA (1985) Synthetic aperture radars—a paradigm for technology evolution. IEEE Trans Aerosp Electron Syst 21(3):440–443
Gens R, Van Genderen JL (2013) Review article SAR interferometry-issues, techniques, applications. Int J Remote Sens 17(10):1803–1835
Heer C, Fischer C, Schaefer C (2010) Spaceborne SAR systems and technologies. In: IEEE MTT-S international microwave symposium, pp 538–541
Krieger G, Moreira A, Fiedler H, Hajnsek I, Werner M, Younis M, Zink M (2007) TanDEM-X: a Satellite formation for high-resolution SAR interferometry. IEEE Trans Geosci Remote Sens 45(11):3317–3341
Morena LC, James KV, Beck J (2004) An introduction to the RADARSAT-2 mission. Can J Remote Sens 30(3):221–234
Werninghaus R, Buckreuss S (2010) The TerraSAR-X Mission and system design. IEEE Trans Geosci Remote Sens 48(2):606–614
Naftaly U, Levy-Nathansohn R (2008) Overview of the TECSAR satellite hardware and mosaic mode. IEEE Trans Geosci Remote Sens 5(3):423–426
L’Abbate M, Germani C, Torre A, Campolo G, Cascone D, Bombaci O, Soccorsi M, Iorio M, Varchetta S, Federici S (2015) Compact SAR and micro satellite solutions for Earth observation. In: 31st space symposium, pp 1–17
Mondéjar AG (2009) Feasibility study on SAR systems on small satellites. Master Thesis. Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya Barcelonatech (UPC), pp 1–84
Schmid M, Barho R (2003) Development summary and test results of a 3 meter unfurlable CFRP skin antenna reflector. In: Proceedings of 10th European space mechanisms and tribology symposium, pp 145–151
Wang P, Wang F, Shi T, Wang B (2017) Thermal distortion compensation of a high precision umbrella antenna. J Phys Conf Ser 916:1–8
Reznik SV, Prosuntsov PV, Novikov AD (2017) Comparison of space antennas mirror reflectors parameters made of composite materials. MATEC Web Conf 110:1–4
Imbriale WA, Gao SS, Boccia L (2012) Space antenna handbook. Wiley, New York, pp 133–178
Tsunoda H, Nakajima K, Miyasaka A (1992) Thermal design verification of a large deployable antenna for a communications satellite. J Spacecr Rockets 29(2):271–278
Rao S, Shafai L, Sharma SK (2013) Handbook of reflector antennas and feed systems volume III applications of reflectors. Artech House, pp 341–382
Sacchi E, Guglielmo C, Colangelo G (1997) The thermal control of Artemis spacecraft. In: 27th international conference on environmental systems, pp 1–7
Tanaka S, Ikeda T, Senba A (2016) Thermal deformation generated on a CFRP laminated reflector. Mech Eng J 3(6):1–9
Al-hindawi A (2016) Modeling of surface temperature distribution and thermal effects on reflector antenna radiation characteristics. J Model Simul Antennas Propag 2(1):22–33
Xu L, Ding J, Wang Y, Xie Y, Wu X, Ma Z (2019) Thermal stability analysis and experimental study of a new type of grid-reinforced carbon fiber mirror. Appl Compos Mater 26:469–478
Wang B, Wang P (2019) Study on thermal distortion and thermal design optimization of satellite antenna reflector during orbit period. In: Proceeding of international conference on computer, communications and mechatronics engineering, pp 149–155
Guo W, Li Y, Li ZY, Tian S, Wang S (2016) Thermal-structural analysis of large deployable space antenna under extreme heat loads. J Therm Stress 39(8):887–905
Nie R, He B, Yan S, Ma X (2020) Design optimization of mesh antennas for on-orbit thermal effects. Int J Mech Sci 175 (in-progress)
Nie R, He B, Yan S, Ma X (2020) Optimization design method for mesh reflector antennas considering the truss deformation and thermal effects. Eng Struct 208:1–10
Chahat N, Sauder J, Mitchell M, Beidleman N, Freebury G (2016) One-meter deployable mesh reflector for deep space network telecommunication at X- and Ka-band. IEEE Trans Antennas Propag 68(2):1–9
Thermal Desktop User’s Manual, Ver 5.8 (2017) C&R Technologies, Inc., Boulder
SINDA/FLUINT User’s Manual, Ver 5.8 (2015) C&R Technologies, Inc., Boulder
Ruze J (1966) Antenna tolerance theory—a review. Proc IEEE 54(4):633–640
Rochblatt DJ, Seidel BL (1992) Microwave antenna holography. IEEE Trans Microw Theory Tech 40(6):1294–1300
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the Deployable SAR Reflector for Satellite Development Program (2019) and funded by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and Agency for Defense Development.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Park, TY., Kim, SY., Yi, DW. et al. Thermal Design and Analysis of Unfurlable CFRP Skin-Based Parabolic Reflector for Spaceborne SAR Antenna. Int. J. Aeronaut. Space Sci. 22, 433–444 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42405-020-00301-7
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42405-020-00301-7