Design of a Deployable Pantograph Rib Structure-Based Parabolic Antenna

Space mesh antennas require large-diameter reflectors to achieve aperture surfaces with high gain. To date, many pioneering studies have pursued deployable mechanisms capable of achieving high deployment ratios, primarily focusing on ring and umbrella structures for spaceborne antennas. In this work, a conceptual design of a Deployable Pantograph Rib structure-based parabolic Antenna (De-PaRA) is presented by employing pantograph structures that ensure high stowage efficiency. This approach addresses the shortcomings of conventional space antenna mechanisms. In parallel, this study aims to overcome the structural safety issues that may arise from insufficient axial stiffness of the rib geometry after deployment. To achieve these objectives, superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) wires were integrated along the antenna ribs to reinforce axial stiffness while maintaining constant inter-rib spacing. Modal analysis demonstrated that SMA wire integration increases the axial stiffness by approximately 2-fold, with eigenfrequency rising from 9.932 to 14.3 Hz. A prototype with a 1.6 m deployed diameter, achieving a volume deployment ratio of 58.8, was quantitatively evaluated through multi-body dynamics simulations and experiments. These results demonstrate reliable deployment operation and mechanical feasibility.