Abstract: An antenna system for space applications provides a membrane antenna with one or more flexible membranes. An antenna enclosure stores the membrane antenna during stowage. One or more first deployable support structures extend along a first axis from the antenna enclosure during deployment, at least a first point of the membrane antenna being operably anchored to a point on the first deployable support structures. Deployment mechanisms are operably anchored at a junction with the first deployable support structures. The deployment mechanisms extend one or more second deployable support structures along a second axis from the first deployable support structures during deployment. At least a second point of the membrane antenna is operably anchored to a point on the second deployable support structures. Extension of the first deployable support structures and second deployable support structures unfurls the membrane antenna along both axes to overlap the junction.

Abstract: An antenna system for space applications provides a membrane antenna with one or more flexible membranes. An antenna enclosure stores the membrane antenna during stowage. One or more first deployable support structures extend along a first axis from the antenna enclosure during deployment, at least a first point of the membrane antenna being operably anchored to a point on the first deployable support structures. Deployment mechanisms are operably anchored at a junction with the first deployable support structures. The deployment mechanisms extend one or more second deployable support structures along a second axis from the first deployable support structures during deployment. At least a second point of the membrane antenna is operably anchored to a point on the second deployable support structures. Extension of the first deployable support structures and second deployable support structures unfurls the membrane antenna along both axes to overlap the junction.