Compactible antenna for satellite communications

A method of deploying an antenna structure, comprising:

• storing the antenna structure having a shape memory composite component, a conductive component, and a support structure creating an inflatable sleeve in a stored configuration, wherein the inflatable sleeve is separate from and is contained around and coupled to the shape memory component;
• inflating the inflatable sleeve with an inflation gas to transition the antenna structure from the stored configuration to a deployed configuration defining an antenna shape;
• retaining the deployed configuration defining the antenna shape with the shape memory component;
• and breaking a failure device by the inflation of the inflation sleeve, wherein the failure device is coupled to a storage device that imposed a deformation force on the antenna structure to retain the antenna structure in the stored configuration.

The antenna structure, comprising:

• a base structure comprising a shape memory component;
• and
• a conductive component;
• a support structure creating an inflatable sleeve, wherein the base structure and the conductive component contact the support structure;
• a storage device configured to impose a deformation force on the base structure to retain the base structure in a stored configuration;
• and
• a failure device coupled to the storage device, the failure device configured to break by the inflation of the inflatable sleeve and release the base structure from the stored configuration.

A method of deploying an antenna structure, comprising:

• storing the antenna structure having a shape memory composite component, a conductive component, and a support structure creating an inflatable sleeve in a stored configuration;
• applying a deformation force to the antenna structure to non-structurally deform the shape memory composite component;
• inflating the inflatable sleeve with an inflation gas to transition the antenna structure from the stored configuration to a deployed configuration defining an antenna shape;
• breaking a failure device by the inflation of the inflation sleeve, wherein the failure device is coupled to a storage device that imposed the deformation force on the antenna structure to retain the antenna structure in the stored configuration;
• and
• retaining the deployed configuration defining the antenna shape with the shape memory component.