Vibration Analysis of Inflatable Parabolic Structure for Space Application

Large deployable antennas for space applications become essential in the fields of communications, radio astronomy and Department of Defence (DOD) space-based radar. Since the antenna should be installed in a cargo space of a rocket vehicle during the launch phase, an inflatable deployment concept is inevitable to overcome the size limitation. A newly developed class of space structures, called inflatable-deployable structures, has great potential for satisfying these stringent user requirements. Among the many antenna types available, the parabolic reflector antenna is the most common one mainly due to its high gain, which enable high data rate transmission at low power. Large parabolic reflectors and solar concentrators are of great interest for the applications of satellite. This paper presents the finite element modelling of the parabolic shaped reflector to know the static and dynamic behaviour under the various inflation pressures. Purpose of this study is to highlight the dynamic characteristics of parabolic structures used in space application. The challenge is to assure that inflatable parabolic surfaces have significantly high efficiency and accuracy to satisfy the system requirements. Even the smart material is used for the control of the geometry of the reflecting surfaces and the study is done for the optimal size and placement of actuators and sensors the control of the shape of the reflecting surfaces. So this study is required to understand the dynamic characteristics i.e. frequency and mode shapes of these structures so that we can find out the maximum deflection and deformed shape of the parabolic surfaces.