Extendable rib reflector

A method of deploying an antenna reflector including a plurality of extendable ribs coupled to a hub, comprising:

• rotating a plurality of inner ribs at a proximal end attached to a centrally located hub from a stowed position in which said inner ribs are generally aligned with a central axis of said hub, to a rotated position in which said outer ribs extend in a radial direction relative to said central axis;
• supporting a flexible surface using a guideline truss structure attached to a plurality of outer ribs extendable from said inner ribs, said guideline truss structure including a plurality of arch cords extending between distal ends of opposing ones of said outer ribs, and a plurality of standoff cords respectively secured to a plurality of attachment points disposed on each of said outer ribs, said flexible surface supported using said plurality of standoff cords extending between each said outer rib and a respective one of said arch cords at a plurality of intermediate locations along a length of said outer ribs between opposing ends thereof;
• tensioning said guideline truss by linearly displacing said plurality of outer ribs respectively along an elongated length of said plurality of inner ribs from a proximal position closer to said centrally located hub, to an extended position distal from said centrally located hub;
• and
• wherein said outer ribs are linearly displaced along said elongated lengths external of said inner ribs.

An antenna reflector, comprising:

• a centrally located hub;
• a plurality of inner ribs rotatably secured at a proximal end to said centrally located hub, said plurality of inner ribs rotatable from a stowed position in which said plurality of inner ribs are generally aligned with a central axis of said centrally located hub, to a rotated position in which said plurality of inner ribs extend in a radial direction relative to said central axis;
• a plurality of outer ribs extendable from said plurality of inner ribs;
• a guideline truss structure configured to support a flexible antenna reflector surface, said guideline truss structure including a plurality of arch cords extending between distal ends of opposing ones of said outer ribs, and a plurality of standoff cords attached to each of said outer ribs, said plurality of standoff cords extending between each said outer rib and a respective one of said arch cords at a plurality of intermediate locations along a length of each said outer rib between opposing ends thereof;
• and
• a guide structure included on each of said outer ribs and configured to facilitate linearly displacing each of said plurality of outer ribs respectively along an elongated length of said plurality of inner ribs from a proximal position adjacent to said centrally located hub, to an extended position distal from said centrally located hub;
• and
• wherein each said guide structure is arranged to linearly displace said outer rib along said elongated length external of said inner rib.