Unfolding and stowing the antenna system of a satellite-borne scatterometer

摘要

The antenna system of a scatterometer mounted on an orbiting satellite consists of three antenna groups (A, F, M). During launch, and until the system is in orbit, the antenna groups are stored by lying them flat against the surface of the satellite. One of the groups (M) is permanently positioned flat against the surface and the other two are supported on a hinge system. Both of these are stored parallel to the axis of the launch rocket. One opens to be orientated in the orbit direction and the other is a right angle. IMAGE