Airbus successfully qualifies Europe´s first five metre deployable reflector for radar satellites
Airbus hat den ersten fünf Meter entfaltbaren Antennenreflektor Europas erfolgreich qualifiziert. Der 70 Kilogramm schwere entfaltbare Reflektor wird dazu beitragen, eine höhere Auflösung eines Radarinstruments für die Erdbeobachtung zu ermöglichen. Die halbstarre Reflektor-Technologie bietet durch ihr außergewöhnlich leichtes Design, ihre Steifigkeit und hohe Robustheit erhebliche Vorteile gegenüber klassischen Gitterreflektoren.
Airbus has successfully qualified Europe´s first five metre deployable antenna reflector. The 70 kilogram deployable reflector will help enable higher resolution from a radar instrument for Earth observation. With its exceptionally lightweight design, its stiffness and high robustness, the semi-rigid reflector technology offers significant advantages compared to classic mesh reflectors.
Airbus ha calificado con éxito el primer reflector de antena desplegable de cinco metros de Europa. El reflector desplegable de 70 kilogramos ayudará a permitir una mayor resolución de un instrumento de radar para la observación de la Tierra. Con su diseño excepcionalmente ligero, su rigidez y su gran robustez, la tecnología del reflector semirrígido ofrece ventajas significativas en comparación con los reflectores de malla clásicos.
Airbus a complété la qualification d’un réflecteur d'antenne radar dépliable de cinq mètres, le premier en Europe. Ce réflecteur dépliable de 70 kilogrammes permettra d'obtenir d'un instrument radar une meilleure résolution pour l'observation de la Terre. Avec sa conception exceptionnellement légère, sa rigidité et sa grande robustesse, la technologie du réflecteur semi-rigide offre des avantages significatifs par rapport aux réflecteurs à mailles classiques.
Enabling cost effective, small radar missions or constellations
Friedrichshafen, 10 December 2020 – Airbus has successfully qualified Europe´s first five metre deployable antenna reflector. The 70 kilogram deployable reflector will help enable higher resolution from a radar instrument for Earth observation. With its exceptionally lightweight design, its stiffness and high robustness, the semi-rigid reflector technology offers significant advantages compared to classic mesh reflectors.
With its large diameter, the reflector would not fit in any rocket fairing, so it must be compactly stowed. After the fairing is released, the reflector will unfold like a flower – from 1.6 to five metres. The unfurlable parabolic reflector concept enables Airbus to enter the market of cost effective and small radar missions or constellations.
After successful completion of the intensive deployment and environmental tests, the qualification model has now been delivered to the customer for further tests on the satellite system level. The flight unit will be delivered in 2021 and is currently scheduled for launch for the export customer in 2022.
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Ralph Heinrich
Head of External Communications - Airbus Space Systems
