An inflatable antenna is disclosed herein that is capable of being deployed in space and other suitable environments and configured to improve RF performance and mechanical stability. Related methods for manufacturing and deploying such inflatable antennas are also described. The inflatable antenna can be configured to form a Gregorian dual reflector confocal parabolic antenna system when inflated. Various antenna structures, mechanisms, and manufacturing and deployment techniques are also disclosed herein that improve the precision and accuracy of RF reflective surfaces of the primary and secondary reflectors, confocal alignment of the primary and secondary reflectors, mechanical stability, and/or to improve the range of RF operation. The inflatable antenna can be manufactured and deployed with less complexity and more precision than existing inflatable antennas.

A lens and antenna assembly technique that includes a first bladder that is configured to be filled with a first fluid and the first fluid having a first index of refraction. The technique further includes a second bladder nested within the first bladder. The second bladder is configured to be filled with a second fluid and the second fluid has a second index of refraction. This technique is for deploying an inflatable lens that includes inflating a first bladder with a first fluid and inflating a second bladder with a second fluid. The second bladder is nested within the first bladder. The technique for deploying an inflatable lens further includes replacing the first fluid with a third fluid and replacing the second fluid with a fourth fluid.

A balloon reflector antenna for a satellite, including a spherical balloon with a surface transparent to electromagnetic waves and a reflective surface opposite the transparent surface. The balloon reflector antenna may further include a feed system extending from the center of the balloon that receives electromagnetic waves reflected off the reflective surface and/or outputs electromagnetic waves that are reflected off the reflective surface.

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.

Exemplary embodiments include systems and method for making a membrane surface having an axis of revolution using first and second mandrel having precise and accurate working surfaces. The systems and methods may also use gore material that are cut and positioned using the first and second mandrels and seamed together to create the membrane surface.

Collapsible feed structures to further improve the ability of a reflector antenna (e.g., a spherical balloon reflector antenna) to collapse are disclosed. In a first embodiment, feed systems that include a metallic layer deposited on a dielectric support curtain (e.g., the dielectric support curtain of a spherical balloon antenna), one or more Vee antenna structures, patterned on the metallic layer, that receive a signal reflected off a reflective surface and/or emit a signal that is reflected off a reflective surface, and one or more slot line transmission lines, patterned on the metallic layer, that transmit a signal to and/or from one of the Vee antenna structures. In a second embodiment, a collapsible line feed that includes a plurality of metallic disks and a flexible monopole passing through the plurality of metallic disks.

A method and system for reflecting a radar signal. First, an event for a platform is detected. Next, a number of decoy units is launched from a launcher system for the platform, wherein a decoy unit comprises an inflatable radar decoy and an inflator cartridge configured to inflate the inflatable radar decoy. Then, the inflatable radar decoy is inflated using the inflator cartridge after launching the decoy unit from the launcher system for the platform.

A balloon reflector antenna for a satellite, including a spherical balloon with a surface transparent to electromagnetic waves and a reflective surface opposite the transparent surface. The balloon reflector antenna may further include a feed system extending from the center of the balloon that receives electromagnetic waves reflected off the reflective surface and/or outputs electromagnetic waves that are reflected off the reflective surface.

A lens and antenna assembly technique that includes a first bladder that is configured to be filled with a first fluid and the first fluid having a first index of refraction. The technique further includes a second bladder nested within the first bladder. The second bladder is configured to be filled with a second fluid and the second fluid has a second index of refraction. This technique is for deploying an inflatable lens that includes inflating a first bladder with a first fluid and inflating a second bladder with a second fluid. The second bladder is nested within the first bladder. The technique for deploying an inflatable lens further includes replacing the first fluid with a third fluid and replacing the second fluid with a fourth fluid.

A technique for a dielectric lens and an antenna assembly. The dielectric lens that includes a for a reference surface and a pattern of varying thicknesses made from a first dielectric. The pattern of varying thicknesses is situated on the reference surface. The thickness differences between adjacent formations of the pattern of varying thicknesses is less than an incident wavelength of electromagnetic energy. The antenna includes mounting fixture, the dielectric lens connected to the mounting fixture, and a transceiver operatively coupled to the mounting fixture. The transceiver is configured to transmit an electromagnetic signal directed to the dielectric lens.