Deployable reflector antenna includes a fabrication hub in which at least one additive fabrication unit disposed. The additive fabrication unit is configured to form at least one rigid structural element of a reflector antenna system. In a stowed condition, an RF reflector material comprised of a flexible webbing is disposed in a stowed configuration proximate to the fabrication hub. A fabrication control system controls the additive fabrication unit so as to form the at least one rigid structural element. The RF reflector material is arranged to transition during the additive fabrication process from the stowed configuration in which the flexible webbing material is furled compactly at the fabrication hub, to a deployed configuration in which the flexible webbing material is unfurled.

An apparatus, for example a multi-band radio frequency antenna system, comprising: a primary reflector, for example a parabolic reflector; and a near-field feed arrangement comprising: a multi-band waveguide feed comprising a first waveguide feed for a first frequency band and a second waveguide feed for a second frequency band separate to the first frequency band, wherein the first waveguide feed and the second waveguide feed are co-axial and have, respectively, a first aperture and a second aperture; and a splashplate located within the near-field of the first waveguide feed, located within the near field of the second waveguide feed and configured as a feed for the primary reflector.

One example includes a method for assembling a reflector antenna. The method includes coupling first and second frame members to respective sidewalls of a panel bonding tool via fastening features to engage a through-hole pattern of each of the respective frame members and bend the frame members to form a perimeter frame. A longitudinal surface of each of the frame members corresponding to a reflector profile of the reflector antenna extends beyond a longitudinal surface of the respective sidewalls along a length of the respective sidewalls. The method also includes applying an adhesive to each of the frame members of the perimeter frame, and adhering a reflector skin to the perimeter frame to form a radial antenna panel. The radial antenna panel has the reflector profile. The method further includes decoupling the radial antenna panel from the panel bonding tool upon curing of the adhesive.

A parabolic antenna includes a main disc, a transmitting device, and a reflecting member. The main disc has a main surface that is arc-shaped. The transmitting device is disposed on the main disc and includes a transmitter and a reflector. The transmitter corresponds to the reflector. The reflector has a reflecting surface that is arc-shaped and corresponds to the main surface of the main disc. The reflecting member is detachably engaged with the reflecting surface of the reflector and corresponds to the transmitter. By engaging the reflecting member with the reflecting surface of the reflector or detaching the reflecting member from the reflecting surface, the parabolic antenna could form various configurations and provide different reflecting performances.

Apparatus comprising at least one movable reflective surface configured to reflect electromagnetic waves and at least one actuator coupled with the at least one movable reflective surface, wherein said at least one actuator is configured to at least temporarily drive a movement of said at least one reflective surface.

A parabolic antenna includes a main disc, a transmitting device, and a reflecting member. The main disc has a main surface that is arc-shaped. The transmitting device is disposed on the main disc and includes a transmitter and a reflector. The transmitter corresponds to the reflector. The reflector has a reflecting surface that is arc-shaped and corresponds to the main surface of the main disc. The reflecting member is detachably engaged with the reflecting surface of the reflector and corresponds to the transmitter. By engaging the reflecting member with the reflecting surface of the reflector or detaching the reflecting member from the reflecting surface, the parabolic antenna could form various configurations and provide different reflecting performances.

A portable antenna terminal includes a deck on which is mounted a storage frame, and on which there is also supported an antenna that includes a kingpost shaft and a modular reflector that is formed from a plurality of reflector panels and a central reflector hub. The storage frame defines a storage space for storing the plurality of reflector panels and a receptacle for secured reception of the reflector hub. When fully loaded with all terminal components, the terminal has a total weight of equal to or less than 10,000 lbs., preferably equal to or less than 7,500 lbs., and more preferably equal to or less than 5,000 lbs. In a storage configuration, with the modular antenna components secured in stored positions, the terminal has dimensions equal to or less than 84 in. L×104 in. W×92 in. H.

Interplanetary networks for space internet and space positioning are presented. The described networks deploy spacecraft swarms along the solar system to form a science and communications platform. The disclosed network nodes are placed around planetary Lagrange points. Creation of optical synthetic apertures using smallsat swarms for inter- and intranet communications is further described. Exemplary subnetworks such as the cislunar network are also presented.

An apparatus is provided that includes: a multi-element reflector, each element comprising a concave reflective surface, the curvature of each element and focal distance of each element being common, the concave reflective surface of each element being configured to steer a radio-frequency beam in a different direction to that of the other elements; and a directional antenna feed, configurable to direct a beam towards each element of the multi-element reflector and positionable to be concurrently spaced said common focal distance from all of the elements of the multi-element reflector. One or more mechanisms are also provided by which, for example, a commercially viable millimeter wave base station can be realised. In particular, antenna arrangements are provided which support a field of view which facilitates establishment and maintenance of an effective communication link between a base station and a user with a desired level of reliability.

A deployable membrane structure for an antenna comprises a membrane comprising a plurality of first regions of higher-stiffness material integrally connected via one or more second regions of lower-stiffness material, wherein the one or more second regions are formed from compliant material configured to permit the membrane to be folded into a collapsed configuration and subsequently unfolded into a deployed configuration, and are arranged so as to allow adjacent ones of the plurality of first regions to be folded so as to lie against one another. In some embodiments the membrane is formed of a composite material comprising a plurality of fibres in a compliant matrix, and the plurality of first regions comprise material with a higher fibre density than the one or more second regions. A deployable antenna comprising the deployable membrane structure is also disclosed.