Structural Verification of an Aged Composite Reflector

A structural verification program applied to qualifying two heritage composite antenna reflectors for flight on the TOPEX satellite is outlined. The verification requirements and an integrated analyses/test approach employed to meet these requirements are described. Structural analysis results and qualification vibration test data are presented and discussed. It was determined that degradation of the composite and bonding materials caused by long-term exposure to an un-controlled environment had not severely impaired the integrity of the reflector structures. The reflectors were assessed to be structurally adequate for the intended TOPEX application.