KOROLYOV, Moscow Region. Dec 7 (Interfax-AVN) - The Korolev-based Energia space corporation's scientific and manufacturing capabilities allow developing and assembling space-based antennas of large diameter, Alexander Chernyavsky, a leading employee of the corporation, told Interfax-Military News Agency on Tuesday.
"There are only two countries in the world today, namely Russia and the U.S., that can build antennas of large diameter. It is therefore important that the 12-m antennas of Energia have more advanced specifications than the U.S. TRW," he said.
According to him, the 12-m antenna was developed by Energia for the European Space Agency (ESA).
Chernyavsky refused to disclose the price of the antenna, but said that the similar U.S. one for the Arabic Turaia satellite costs about $15 million.
According to him, the expenses for development and assembly split 50/50.
"We developed a mathematical model that allows bench tests of rigidity, thermal and electric parameters of the antenna. Our software was praised by Europe," he said.
He added that the units and elements of black reinforced plastic only cost about 500,000 euros without assembly.
"Such antennas are in demand in the world now. Some countries have offered contracts to the corporation," he said.
The weight of the antennae developed for the ESA is 58 kg.
The antenna has electromechanical gears that ensure its soft unfolding in space, which is impossible with spring drives used in U.S. antennas.
The antenna's surface is made in the form of a net of 15-micron-thick gold-coated tungsten wire. The gold coating weighs about 1 kg.