Lightweight antenna attachment structure

An antenna structure comprising:

• a platform having a curved surface;
• an array of antenna panels;
• and
• first and second blocks mounting each panel to the curved surface, wherein the first and second blocks have first and second heights, respectively, that are different from each other,
• wherein each block is adhered to the curved surface,
• wherein the blocks comprise a foam material;
• wherein each block is approximately 0.5 inches in width, and
• wherein the blocks are spaced apart from each other by approximately 2-5 inches.

A method of mounting an antenna panel to a platform, comprising:

• providing a platform having a first coefficient of thermal expansion;
• providing an antenna panel having a second coefficient of thermal expansion different from the first coefficient, and having first and second opposite ends;
• and
• mounting the panel to the platform, comprising:
• providing a first spacer element with a first height at the first end of the panel;
• providing a second spacer element with a second height less than the first height between the first and second ends of the panel;
• adhering each spacer element to the platform with a first adhesive layer;
• and
• adhering each spacer element to the antenna panel with a second adhesive layer,
• wherein a yield strength of the adhesive layers is less than a yield strength of the spacer elements.