Reconformable reflector for millimetre and submillimetre-wave reflector antennas

The paper describes investigations and use of a reconformable reflector. Implementation is discussed for millimetre and/or sub-millimetre wave antenna configurations. The perspectives of alleviating requirements for the high-accuracy main reflector, which can be very expensive, are of great interest. This is the case in particular for space applications, with stringent environmental constraints. Applications for radiometers, sounders or ground-based radio-telescopes are of interest. The technological implementation is based on a galvanic electroformed nickel shell as developed by Media-Lario, which permits deformation capabilities suitable for mm/sub-mm applications.