Inflatable Antenna

In May 1996, NASA tested a new experimental antenna which inflates once it is in orbit. It inflated from the Spartan satellite automatically when nitrogen gas flowed through it. The antenna is 15 metres in diameter (about the size of a tennis court). At $14 million, inflatable antennas are much cheaper than conventional mechanical ones.

Inflatable Antenna



Produced by Galactics.
Comments: galactics@spacesim.org.
Last updated: 15 July 1997