A Large RF Radiating Membrane for Space Application

Studies at the Grumman Aerospace Corporation have shown that a space-based radar can provide surveillance for a variety of missions. The Phased Array Membrane Development Program has established the feasibility of developing a key element of the Space Based Radar (SBR), the Radiating Membrane.

The subject of this paper is the thermal design and analysis approach used for the Phased Array (Radiating) Membrane Program test article.

The primary objective of the thermal effort has been to define a passive thermal design for the test article that is compatible with the space environment for an extended mission period.

The Thermal Test portion of the Radiating Membrane Program successfully accomplished the goal of simulating worst case membrane temperatures for the purpose of evaluating and correlating structural models.