Evaluation on Effectiveness of Modeling of Metallic Mesh Fabric for Deployable Antenna Based on Static and Dynamic Property Tests

In this study, we identified the stiffness, natural frequency, and damping properties of a metallic mesh fabric applied to spaceborne antennas and proposed finite element models (FEMs) based on static and dynamic property tests. Tensile tests along the course and wale directions were performed to analyze the static characteristics of the metallic mesh fabric, and dynamic property tests were conducted to evaluate natural frequencies and damping properties under pre−tensions. By applying pre−tensions of 1, 3, and 5 N to each edge of the mesh fabric, the 1st natural frequencies were derived as approximately 35, 50, and 60 Hz. Furthermore, by applying direct dynamic loads to the fabric, high damping properties (ζ ≈ 1.0) were confirmed. FEMs of the mesh fabric were developed using a 1D beam−based detailed model and a 2D shell−based simplified model. The effectiveness of both models was validated by comparing numerical results with experimental data, showing discrepancies below 5% for static stiffness in the linear elastic region and within 5.4% for the 1st natural frequency. To evaluate dynamic behavior under an agile attitude maneuver, the simplified mesh model was applied to a 4 m deployable antenna model. Under the maneuver profile, dynamic responses rapidly attenuated due to high damping, with residual vibrations showing peak displacements below 0.02 mm decaying to the origin within 0.2 s. For the proposed 4 m deployable antenna with the SUS316L Atlas−Atlas mesh, the post−disturbance dynamic influence was confirmed to be negligible, indicating that post−maneuver residual vibrations do not cause surface accuracy distortions or degradation in the antenna’s electrical RF performance in orbit.