Composite space antenna structures: Properties and environmental effects

The thermal behavior of composite spacecraft antenna reflectors has been investigated with the integrated Composites Analyzer (ICAN) computer code. Parametric studies have been conducted on the face sheets and honeycomb core which constitute the sandwich-type structures. Selected thermal and mechanical properties of the composite faces and sandwich structures are presented graphically as functions of varying fiber volume ratio, temperature, and moisture content. The coefficients of thermal expansion are discussed in detail since these are the critical design parameters. In addition, existing experimental data are presented and compared to the ICAN predictions.