Space Antenna Having Extendible Hoop and Interconnected Cords Defining Polygons and Related methods

A space antenna comprising:

• an extendible boom movable between stored and deployed positions;
• an extendible hoop surrounding the extendible boom and movable between the stored and deployed positions;
• a front cord arrangement coupled to the extendible hoop and defining a curved shape in the deployed position;
• a reflective layer carried by the front cord arrangement;
• a rear cord arrangement behind the front cord arrangement and coupled between the extendible hoop and the extendible boom, the rear cord arrangement comprising a rear plurality of interconnected cords defining a plurality of rear triangles;
• a plurality of tie cords extending between the front cord arrangement and the rear cord arrangement, the plurality of tie cords being parallel to the extendible boom;
• and
• a top cord arrangement above the reflective layer and coupled between the hoop and the extendible boom.

A method of making a space antenna comprising:

• coupling a front cord arrangement to an extendible hoop to define a curved shape in a deployed position;
• coupling a reflective layer to the front cord arrangement;
• coupling a rear cord arrangement behind the front cord arrangement and between the extendible hoop and an extendible boom within the extendible hoop, the rear cord arrangement comprising a rear plurality of interconnected cords defining a plurality of rear polygons;
• coupling a plurality of tie cords between the front cord arrangement and the rear cord arrangement;
• and
• coupling a top cord arrangement above the reflective layer and between the extendible hoop and the extendible boom.