Research of a method based on the local deformation of the metall mesh by the force of air drawn through its surface, for measuring and controlling the tension force of the metall mesh cavity on radio-reflecting reflectors

This article presents some of the main parameters of the netfold that affect the radio-reflective properties of the reflector and the technology for achieving these parameters by controlling the tension force of the netfold at various stages of manufacturing the radio-reflective surface of the reflector. The article also includes a brief overview of the existing and applied methods of measuring and controlling the tension force of the reticular reflectors of spacecraft at the RESHETNEV JSC enterprise and an analysis of their shortcomings as a result of their development is presented. A new method for monitoring and measuring the tension force is proposed, based on the local deformation of the mesh by the force of the pressure of the drawn air through its surface. The results of the development and testing of the method and prototype of a device for monitoring the tension force of the net are presented. The purpose of the study was to determine the operability of the device and the possibility of its further use to control the tension of the grid on working reflectors. The developed method and the prototype of the device that implements it, allow you to quickly monitor the tension force of the net pole at any of its spatial position. The prospects of possible use of the method in the rocket and space industry in the manufacture of radio-reflecting surfaces of spacecraft antennas are proposed and analyzed. According to the results of the conducted research, the dependence of the tension force of the mesh on the force of the pressure of the drawn air through the mesh is established. The need for further refinement of the developed device to improve the accuracy of obtaining measurement data has been identified. Upon successful testing of the modified device for measuring and controlling the tension force of the net in the laboratory, further tests will be carried out at the stage of cutting the net and on the net in the reflector.