Optimization design method for the cable network of mesh reflector antennas considering space thermal effects

Abstract The mesh reflector antenna is widely used in space satellites for its characteristics of lightweight, large aperture, high precision, and high stiffness. As the form of mesh surface is heavily depended on cable forces and vice versa, the form finding and optimization design of cable networks play an essential role in antenna design. The present methods usually neglect the thermal effects, which is reasonable for ambient temperature. While space thermal loads cause significant variations from the original form finding state, it is essential to investigate and minimize the antenna's on-orbit shape errors caused by the thermal effects. The active shape adjustment on-orbit is far from anticipated, while the preliminary adjustment before launch is also limited by the number of adjustable cables (tension ties) and the engineer's experiences. Under these circumstances, we propose a form finding and design optimization approach for the cable network of mesh reflector antennas considering space thermal effects. In this approach, the cable's thermal deformation and geometric nonlinearity are fully considered at the design stage, and the burden of shape adjustment for thermal errors before launch can be relieved. As all cables instead of adjustable cables are optimized, the improvement of surface accuracy is more obvious than the shape adjustment method. Our work provides a new idea and approach for the optimization design of cable networks and the minimization of on-orbit shape errors.