MESH AND ASSOCIATED CARRYING NET FOR DEPLOYABLE REFLECTOR (ARTES 5.1 5B.138)

Description

The objective of the activity is to develop an engineering model (EM) of a reflective ultralight mesh with the associated carrying net compatible with a large deployable reflector antenna.

Targeted Improvements:

To make available in Europe a knitted ultralight reflector mesh at TRL 5 enabling the realisation of an ESA member state sourced deployable offset reflector.

Description:

Large deployable reflector antennas are key to the realisation of many telecommunication capabilities.

There is no existing production capability for knitted reflector mesh within ESA members states with the requested TRL, despite suitable industrial knitting machines being produced

within Europe.

This endangers the development of large deployable reflector antennas for telecommunications satellites due to the dependence on non-European providers.

A recently initiated activity under TRP is developing suitable meshes, realised by knitting, along with the associated handling, processing and manufacturing capabilities. The latter activity

resulted in a number of samples, which will undergo a series of tests to demonstrate their performances.

The next logical step is to demonstrate the manufacturing capability, including the processes for combining several segments of mesh and the supporting nets, with an Engineering Model

addressing a realistic reflector size.

Target size of overall reflector is 5m, as would be appropriate for C-Band and possibly Ku-band missions. However alternative sizes/frequencies will be considered if there is a commercial

justification.

Work logic:

Task 1: Critical review of material and mesh requirements.

Task 2: Materials review and comparisons

Task 3: Establishment of the sequence of realisation of knitted reflector mesh and net for larger sizing.

Task 4: Implementation of desired mesh manufacturing and segments assembly approach

Task 5: Realisation of large multi-segmented ultralight reflective mesh with associated net at EM level

Procurement Policy: C(1) = Activity restricted to non-prime contractors (incl. SMEs). For additional information please go to EMITS news "Industrial Policy measures for non-primes, SMEs and R&D entities in ESA programmes".

Tender Specifics