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DRDO develops unfurlable antenna for space radar | India News



BENGALURU: In a key development, Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), a Bengaluru lab of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has developed a major subsystem for a space radar, which holds significant potential not only for the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), but also for the military.
LRDE, which has been involved in the development of space-borne imaging radar — mainly consisting of electronic radar subsystems and antenna deployment mechanisms — for installation on satellites has completed the development of an UnFurlable Reflector Antenna (UFRA).
UFRA is one of the major subsystems of a radar, LRDE said, adding that radars for space applications require an antenna to be stowed in compact volume during launch and then deployed in the required shape once the satellite is in the required orbit.
“To meet this requirement, LRDE has developed the UFRA system which consists of a rim truss-based deployable mechanism, primary arm, reflector mesh, tension ties, nets, and motor. A cable is routed through the diagonal members of the rim truss elements,” it said, adding that one end of the cable is fixed and the other end is pulled by a motor.
“When the cable is pulled by a motor, the antenna made up of metallic mesh will be deployed to the desired size. The UFRA was realised and the deployment of the antenna to the required height was achieved successfully by an unfurlable deployment mechanism. The design can be adapted to realise any size of UFRA,” it added.
The antenna, sources said, is likely to be part of a space-based military radar, which LRDE is working on. “The specific details about the radar cannot be divulged at this moment, but the development of UFRA is a key milestone in the development of the radar,” one source said.
LRDE is a key DRDO lab with a mission to design and develop state-of-the-art radar systems meeting current and futuristic requirements of the tri-services, paramilitary forces, intelligence and strategic missions. It is also tasked with establishing indigenous production capability through industry partnership to achieve total self-reliance in the field radars besides promoting in-house research, engaging academia and industry to build competence towards creating a centre of excellence in the field of radar technologies.


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