Inflatable Reflectarray Antennas

A type of reflectarray antenna now undergoing development is based on the concept of a reflector membrane that is stretched flat by attaching it to an inflatable frame (see figure). Antennas of this type are meant to serve as lightweight, compactly stowable, reliable alternatives to conventional antennas with rigid reflector structures or mechanically deployed mesh reflectors. Originally intended for use aboard spacecraft for microwave communications, these antennas might also prove useful in terrestrial low-power, lightweight microwave systems in cases in which reflector-surface distortions caused by gravitation and wind could be tolerated.