Compactable RF membrane antenna

1. A deployable antenna, comprising:

a collector;

a support structure comprising a shape memory composite that is flexible and deformable along an entire length, which deforms under an applied force and which has a remembered configuration when the applied force is removed; and

a reflector configured to direct radio frequency waves received at the reflector to the collector, wherein the deployable antenna comprises a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration.

2. The deployable antenna of claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprising a toroidal outer frame and at least three struts coupled to the outer frame, and each of the toroidal outer frame and at least three struts are made of a shape memory composite that is flexible and deformable, and the deployable antenna comprises a net0mesh attached to the toroidal outer frame, the net-mesh defining a plurality of nodes.

3. The deployable antenna of claim 2 , wherein a plurality of tension elements attached to the plurality of nodes, the tension elements in tension and define a deployed shape of the net-mesh in the deployed configuration.

4. The deployable antenna of claim 3 , wherein the reflector is attached to the tension elements.

5. The deployable antenna of claim 4 , wherein the reflector comprises a plurality of reflector membranes, each reflector membrane coupled to adjacent tension elements.

6. The deployable antenna of claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises an outer frame and a plurality of ribs within an outer perimeter of the outer frame.

7. The deployable antenna of claim 6 , wherein an entirety of the outer frame and the plurality of ribs comprise a shape memory composite that is deformable.

8. The deployable antenna of claim 7 , wherein the shape memory composite comprises a base material and a matrix material.

9. The deployable antenna of claim 8 , wherein the base material comprises carbon fabric, carbon tows, Vectran, Kevlar, or combinations thereof.

10. The deployable antenna of claim 9 , wherein the matrix material comprises silicone, urethane, epoxy, or combinations thereof.

11. The deployable antenna of claim 10 , wherein the base material comprises strands and the matrix material fills a space between strands.

12. The deployable antenna of claim 11 , wherein the strands are generally aligned along an entire length of the support structure.

13. The deployable antenna of claim 12 , wherein the support structure comprises an outer frame, a plurality of ribs coupled to the outer frame, and a plurality of struts coupled to the outer frame.

14. The deployable antenna of claim 13 , wherein the outer frame comprises a toroid and the struts extend out of plane of the outer frame and generally converge toward each other.

15. The deployable antenna of claim 14 , wherein the outer frame and struts support a reflector.

16. A method of deploying a deployable antenna, comprising:

providing the deployable antenna having a collector, a support structure comprising a shape memory composite that is flexible and deformable along an entire length, which deforms under an applied force and which has a remembered configuration when the applied force is removed, and a reflector configured to direct radio frequency waves received at the reflector to the collector;

storing the deployable antenna in a stowed configuration by imposing a force on the support structure to deform the support structure; and

releasing the imposed force on the support structure to transition the support structure from the stowed configuration to a deployed configuration.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the support structure is dynamically deformed in a non-structured fashion in the stored configuration.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the stored configuration is dynamically determined based on a storage compartment or the imposition of the force applied.