Deformation Analysis of the Net Surface of the Mesh Antennas under the Gravity Action

To research the deformation of the net surface of the mesh antennas under the gravity, a calculating model of a large hoop truss mesh antenna was studied using the whole coordinates interaction method (WCIM). The influence of the gravity and the initial tensions in the networks on the surface accuracy of the mesh antennas was discussed. To calculate the surface shape in the agravic environment, a cup-up and cup down procedure was developed. The influence of the gravity on the surface accuracy decrease when the initial tensions in the networks increase. When the angle between the antenna and the horizontal plane (AAHP) varies, the nodes of the net surface fluctuate in the certain ranges respectively in the local coordinates fixed on the antennas. The conclusions are useful for the adjustment for the net surface accuracy on the ground.