Surface shape optimization for the space membrane reflector

Space membrane reflector is very promised for optical quality application with the merits of ultra-lightweight and flexible. In order to improve the surface precision of membrane reflectors, the formation and surface shape error of a membrane at uniform load are studied based on the henky-cambell equations of circular membrane. The ANSYS software is used to build an optimization model of membrane reflector surface shape, in which the yield strength is the state variable, the surface load on ten concentric annular regions of the mirror is the design variable, and the minimum RMS between ideal surface and mirror surface is the target function. and the theoretical and experimental result show that RMS and PV of the optimized surfaces are reduced respectively than those before optimization. In a word, this paper offers the theoretical and experimental basis of the polyimide membrane reflector.