One-Piece Deployable Composite Reflector

We propose a novel alternative scheme for achieving low stowed volumes of solid surface antenna reflectors using a single one-piece reflector surface. The advantages are a continuous surface for the deployed reflector with no gaps or seams, an accurate curved surface profile, simple deployment, and compact stowage that bends but does not stretch the surface. Our scheme is ideal for low thermal expansion carbon-fiber composite construction to provide the requisite level of high pointing accuracy with low mass.