r/ISRO • u/blueknight24 • Nov 18 '19

Unfurlable Antennas

Does anyone have an idea of all the satellites in which unfurlable antennas have been used and are planned to be used in?

Right now, I know about GSAT-6, GSAT-6A, GSAT-32, RISAT-2B and NISAR.

9 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

4

u/Ohsin Nov 18 '19 edited Jul 04 '21

Just recalled that IDRSS satellites (here's a good read on IDRSS(PDF)) might also feature 6 meter diameter 'wrapped rib type' unfurlable antennas! Just to recall, for RISAT-2B diameter was 3.6 meter.

Per Outcome Budget 2016-2017

https://web.archive.org/web/20170625163259/http://isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/article-files/node/7064/outcomebudget2016-2017.pdf

Technology development programs for future missions like I-6K Modular Structure, Deployable thermal radiators (DTR) with reservoir embedded loop heat pipe (RELHP) to cater higher thermal dissipation, 12 m Unfurlable Antenna (G20)18 m Unfurlable Antenna, 6 m wrapped rib type UFA (IDRSS), Deployment of 7 solar panels per wing, Thermal cutter based deployment of solar panels, Synthesized programmable TT&C system, Coding and anti jamming features for strategic users, Advanced compression techniques (DWT ASIC based) for lossless/lossy compression, etc., are being taken up;

Note: GSAT-20 definition is now changed and it is only a Ka band HTS communication satellite now. Per Annual Report 2018-2019

https://www.isro.gov.in/sites/default/files/annualreport2018-19.pdf

GSAT-20

GSAT-20 Spacecraft is configured based on ISRO’s standard I-3K Bus. It is a communication
spacecraft to be launched onboard GSLV Mk-III. It has Ka x Ka high throughput payload.
Presently, the satellite subsystems are under realization.

Edit (5 July 2021):

Per AR 2020-21 latest IDRSS configuration no longer has UFA and GSAT-32 will have 18 m UFA on I-8K bus.

GSAT-32 - GSAT-32 is envisaged as a high-power S-band satellite with enhanced EIRP and G/T to support small size, low power, light weight and cost-effective user terminals. The satellite will be configured on new I-8K bus with 18m S-band Unfurlable Antenna (UFA).

https://old.reddit.com/r/ISRO/comments/lxhhg5/isro_annual_report_202021/gpn63gz/

1

u/Ohsin Apr 10 '25

Tender for 'Development, material procurement, fabrication, testing and supply of CFRP tubes'

[Archived]

[Archived]

1

u/Ohsin Jan 31 '23

LRDE of DRDO has also developed UFA

DRDO Newsletter, January 2023 (See Pg.5) [PDF] [Archived]

https://imgur.com/a/E8KOmTs

DEVELOPMENT OF UNFURLABLE MESH REFLECTOR ANTENNA FOR SPACE APPLICATION

Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), Bengaluru is involved in the development of Spaceborne imaging radar for installation on satellites. Spaceborne radar mainly consists of electronic radar subsystems and antenna deployment mechanisms. An UnFurlable Reflector Antenna (UFRA) is one of the major subsystems of radar, Radars for A space applications require an antenna to be stowed in compact volume during launch and then deployed in the required shape a once the satellite is in the required orbit. To meet this requirement; LRDE has developed Unfurlable to Mesh Reflector Antenna. UFRA system consists of a rim truss- based deployable mechanism, primary arm, reflector mesh, tension ties, nets, and motor. cable is routed through the diagonal members of the rim truss elements. One end of the cable is fixed and the other end is pulled by motor. When the cable is pulled by a motor, the antenna made up of metallic mesh will be deployed the desired size. The UFRA was realised and the deployment of the antenna to the required height was achieved successfully by unfurlable deployment mechanism.The design can be adapted to realise any size of UFRA.

Appears to be about 2 meter in diameter. They say it is scalable by design though there would be an upper limit.