Eagle Technology, LLC

Harris Corporation

Timothy L Fetterman

Robert M Taylor

Philip J Henderson

Christopher L Rose

David Lopez

Gregory M Jandzio

Richard I Harless

Jay D Warshowsky

Gregory M Turner

Miguel Ortega-Morales

Stephen Jenkins

Richard A Salyer

John Carro

A space antenna may include an extendible boom movable between stored and deployed positions. An extendible hoop may surround the extendible boom and is movable between the stored and deployed positions. A front cord arrangement may be coupled to the extendible hoop and defines a curved shape in the deployed position, and a reflective layer may be carried thereby. A rear cord arrangement may be behind the front cord arrangement and coupled between the extendible hoop and the extendible boom. The rear cord arrangement may include a rear plurality of interconnected cords defining rear polygons. Tie cords may extend between the front cord arrangement and the rear cord arrangement. A top cord arrangement may be above the reflective layer and coupled between the hoop and the extendible boom.

Space antenna having extendible hoop and interconnected cords defining polygons and related methods

Systems and methods for deploying an extendable reflector structure. The methods comprise: transitioning the extendable reflector structure from a stored configuration to a deployed configuration; and causing expansion of a pantograph coupling structure while the extendable reflector structure is being transitioned from the stored configuration to the deployed configuration. The pantograph coupling structure indirectly couples the extendable reflector structure to a boom such that a beam produced by the extendable reflector structure during operation is offset from a focal axis of the extendable reflector structure by a certain amount.

Systems and methods for providing antennas with mechanically coupled offset positions

A method for deploying a trough structure. The methods comprise: causing a first telescoping segment to move in a first direction away from a proximal end of a telescoping boom; and transiting a flexible element from an untensioned state to a tensioned state as the first telescoping segment is moved in the first direction. The flexible element is coupled to a distal end of the first telescoping segment by a first bulkhead and is coupled to a distal end of a second telescoping segment by a second bulkhead. The first telescoping segment is coupled to the second telescoping segment of the boom when the first telescoping segment reaches an extended position. The flexible element has a parabolic trough shape when in the tensioned state.

Dual boom deployable parabolic trough reflector

A satellite antenna includes first and second extensible booms and first and second sets of ribs carried by the respective first and second extensible booms. A Radio Frequency (RF) reflective film is carried by the first and second sets of ribs. First and second phased array antenna feeds are carried by the respective first and second extensible booms and directed toward the RF reflective film. First and second sets of fiducial devices are carried by the respective first and second sets of ribs. At least one camera is directed toward the first and second sets of fiducial devices to sense a physical distortion of the RF reflective film. A controller cooperates with the at least one camera to operate the first and second sets of phased array antenna feeds to account for sensed physical distortion of the RF reflective film.

Satellite antenna having fiducial devices for compensating physical distortion and associated methods

A reflector system includes a hoop assembly formed of a plurality of link members extending between a plurality of hinge bodies. The link members have an expanded configuration wherein the link members define a circumferential hoop having a central hoop axis. A collapsible mesh reflector surface is secured to the hoop such that when the hoop assembly is in the expanded configuration, the reflector surface is expanded to a shape that is intended to concentrate RF energy. A mast assembly includes an extendible boom aligned along a central boom axis. The hoop assembly is secured by a plurality of cords relative to the boom such that when the hoop is expanded, a central hoop axis is laterally offset a predetermined distance from the central boom axis.

High compaction ratio reflector antenna with offset optics

Reflecting systems, such as reflector antenna systems, can include a first and a second reflector, and a sub-reflector positioning apparatus. The sub-reflector positioning apparatus has a tensioner attached to the second reflector and configured to exert a force on the second reflector. The force urges the second reflector away from the first reflector. The sub-reflector positioning apparatus also includes a plurality of restraints attached to the first and second reflectors. The restraints are configured to be tensioned in response to the force on the second reflector, and to restrain the second reflector at a pre-determined position in relation to the first reflector.

Reflecting systems, such as reflector antenna systems, with tension-stabilized reflector positioning apparatus

Antenna system includes an elongated antenna feed tower structure having a tower base at one end which includes a plurality of feet arranged to align with a plurality of predetermined structural mounting points associated with a space vehicle bus. The antenna system also includes a deployable reflector assembly comprising a hub ring. The hub ring includes a reflector deployment mechanism around which a plurality of reflector ribs are disposed. The hub ring is advantageously arranged to engirdle the feed tower assembly. As such, the central aperture is configured to receive the feed tower assembly therein after the feed tower has already been mounted to the space vehicle.

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Palm Bay, FL, United States of America

Timothy L Fetterman