Thermal deformation analysis of the composite material satellite antenna

Controlling the thermal deformation is a crucial index for the design of the satellite antenna. To calculate and measure the satellite antenna's thermal deformation is also an important step for the design of satellite antenna. Based on the foundation of equivalent assumption, the thermal deformation of the parabolic satellite antenna was analyzed by the finite element method for different design project. The best design project that had the minimum of the thermal deformation could be obtained through changing the lay-angle, lay-layers and lay-thickness of each layer. Results show the asymmetry structure has the minimum of thermal deformation. This paper may provide useful information for the further investigation on the coupling of thermal-stress structure.