RESHETNEV Company came up with a new technology of manufacturing onboard antenna reflectors with reflecting membrane surface. This is a novel invention in Russian space industry with no counterparts so far.

Membrane – is a composite material of high elastic deflection.

Membrane shall allow for the distension of the antenna reflective surface material. This new technology would relieve RESHETNEV experts from the necessity of using auxiliary mechanisms increasing the weight of onboard antennas structure.

The right distention of antenna’s reflecting surface should ensure optimal properties of the reflector, consequently improving satellite service quality.

In the framework of developing this new technique, company’s experts are going to manufacture and test reconfigurable onboard reflectors up to 1.5 meters in diameter as well as reflector segment up to 12 meters in diameter.

As of today, the assembly of experimental models of membrane reflectors is ending at RESHENEV premises. Further, they will undergo thermal vacuum tests and mechanical tests.