Construction and measurement method research of an inflatable antenna

An inflatable antenna is analyzed and designed, initial shape surface and cutting-pattern of inflatable reflector are obtained. High precision cutting module and seaming module are manufactured, which are used to develop the 3.2\,m diameter antenna prototype. By a series of manufactured adjustment devices, inflatable antenna is installed to rigid support structure. Two kinds of adjust methods for cable tensional force are compared and analyzed, and finally spring adjust device is adopted. Non-contact photogrammetry measurement system is used to measure the inflatable reflector with repeated adjustment. A measurement method featured by departing target with 5 parts for the large diameter inflatable antenna is found after repeated contrast. Finally a high shape precision of antenna reflector is achieved. The measurement results are analyzed to identify the deviation and an improved method is proposed. These efforts can be referred for design and experiment on high-precision inflatable antenna.