The shape accuracy of a space phased array antenna is crucial in determining its performance. In the antenna structure, the clearances, geometric deviations, and flexibilities of numerous revolute hinges significantly affect the analysis and control of antenna shape accuracy. This paper proposes the comprehensive dynamic modeling method and active vibration control method of the antenna structure with numerous hinges. First, by introducing the nonlinear contact force of hinges into the finite element method, the nonlinear dynamic model of the antenna structure with hinge clearances and flexibilities is established. Based on the polynomial fitting method, a model order reduction method is employed to simplify the nonlinear dynamic model. Then, to address the geometric deviation problem of numerous hinges, a model updating method based on clustering optimization and frequency criterion is proposed. Finally, an active vibration control method using cable actuators is proposed to reduce the nonlinear vibration of the antenna structure with numerous hinges, and an actuator distribution optimization method is established. The numerical simulation results demonstrate that the proposed nonlinear dynamic model can well reflect the influence of the hinges on the antenna structure and that the proposed control method can effectively suppress the nonlinear vibration.

The performance of space antennas is significantly affected by thermal deformation owing to the harsh thermal environment in space. This results in potential degradation in pointing accuracy and overall functionality. This study focused on the analysis and control of thermal deformation in large-scale two-dimensional planar phased array antennas. Employing the finite element method, we developed a comprehensive thermal and structural model of the antenna. This enabled us to simulate the steady-state temperature field and the associated thermal deformation at various orbital positions. To address this deformation issue, we propose an innovative shape-control approach that utilizes distributed cable actuators. The shape control challenge was reformulated into a layered optimization problem concerning actuator placement and force application. In the outer optimization layer, a discrete particle swarm optimization algorithm was used to determine the optimal locations for the actuators. In the inner optimization layer, quadratic programming was subsequently applied to calculate the optimal control forces for each actuator. We validated the proposed method by numerically simulating a novel large-scale two-dimensional planar phased array antenna. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of our method in mitigating thermal deformation and maintaining the structural integrity and shape accuracy of the antennas.

Large-scale space membrane antennas have significant potential in satellite communication, space-based early warning, and Earth observation. Because of their large size and high flexibility, the dynamic analysis and control of membrane antenna are challenging. To maintain the working performance of the antenna, the pointing and surface accuracies must be strictly maintained. Therefore, the accurate dynamic modeling and effective active control of large-scale space membrane antennas have great theoretical significance and practical value, and have attracted considerable interest in recent years. This paper reviews the dynamics and active control of large-scale space membrane antennas. First, the development and status of large-scale space membrane antennas are summarized. Subsequently, the key problems in the dynamics and active control of large membrane antennas, including the dynamics of wrinkled membranes, large-amplitude nonlinear vibration, nonlinear model reduction, rigid–flexible–thermal coupling dynamic modeling, on-orbit modal parameter identification, active vibration control, and wave-based vibration control, are discussed in detail. Finally, the research outlook and future trends are presented.