Thermally insulated satellite reflector assembly with non-embedded heater assembly

A reflector assembly in a satellite system, comprising:

• a reflector including a reflecting surface and a back surface, said back surface opposite said reflecting surface, said back surface having a plurality of ribs extending transversely therefrom;
• a continuous layer of air-entrapped foam insulation including an inside surface and a plurality of grooves, said plurality of grooves being configured to receive said plurality of ribs therein;
• a heater assembly including a heating device attached to said inside surface of said layer of air-entrapped foam insulation, said heating device comprising a plurality of heater pads, each of said plurality of heater pads being disposed between a corresponding adjacent pair of said grooves;
• and
• an adhesive layer covering substantially all of said heating device and interconnecting said heating device with said back surface of said reflector.

A reflector assembly in a satellite system, comprising:

• a reflector including a reflecting surface and a back surface, said back surface opposite said reflecting surface, said back surface having a plurality of ribs extending transversely therefrom;
• a layer of air-entrapped foam insulation including an inside surface having a plurality of grooves, said plurality of grooves configured to receive said plurality of ribs therein;
• a heater assembly attached to said inside surface of said layer of air-entrapped foam insulation, said heater assembly including a plurality of heaters and a plurality of jumper wires electrically interconnecting said heaters, each of said plurality of heaters being disposed between a corresponding adjacent pair of said grooves;
• and
• an adhesive layer covering substantially all of each one of said plurality of heaters and interconnecting said heater assembly with said back surface of said reflector.