Analysis of Current State and Prospects for Development of Methods for Monitoring Tension of Radio-Reflecting Mesh on Deployable Frame of Large Mirror Antenna

The article considers the problems of developing an operating automated method for monitoring the force and uniformity of tension of a radio-reflecting mesh on the deployable frame of large mirror antennas. Based on the performed analysis of known control methods they are classified as contact mechanical methods and non-contact optical ones. It is shown that only optical monitoring methods provide automated control of the tension force of the radio-reflecting mesh on the frame. Among the known optical methods for monitoring, only the moire band method allows creating an immediate picture of the uniformity of the tension of the radio-reflecting mesh over the entire surface under consideration. The method is based on the revealed relationship of moire patterns with the uniformity and tension force of the radio-reflecting mesh. The advantages of the described method are shown; the main advantage is the possibility of installing a radio-reflecting mesh on the deployable frame of the large mirror antenna in real time. Due to its versatility, the proposed method can be used in any other structures where the element being tested is a grid, regardless of the material from which it is made.

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