The developer of communication, navigation and geodesy satellites - "RESHEТNEV" (part of Roscosmos) is creating a technology for manufacturing on-board antenna reflectors with a membrane reflecting surface. The company's press service emphasized that this is an innovative product for the domestic rocket and space industry.
It is specified that the membrane is a composite material that has elasticity during deformation. It provides tension to the reflecting surface of the reflector. This improves the quality of satellite communications.
Reshetnev's team plans to develop and manufacture on-board transformable reflectors with a diameter of up to 1.5 m and a reflector segment of up to 12 m. The assembly of experimental samples of membrane reflectors is almost complete. Then it is planned to check their thermal vacuum and mechanical characteristics.
Membrane reflectors are used in space. They are located outside the spacecraft, so they are affected by the external environment. The use of polymers for reflectors helps to solve the problem with their possible damage.
Read more about RESHEТNEV's developments:
Reshetnev's team has worked out the use of domestic materials for printed circuit boards
RESHEТNEV Company will manufacture more than 130 "Marathon IoT" satellites
