Concept of solenoidally stabilized reflector dishes in space

The idea of stabilizing the shape of a reflector dish for a space-based radiotelescope by an extensive magnetic field is considered. We outline a construction where the axes of rotational symmetry of the dish lie on the axes of rotational symmetry of a large circular solenoid. Its magnetic field produces a stabilizing pressure by acting on a distribution of dipole moment on the dish. In cosmic regions where the gravity gradient is smaller than the solar radiation pressure, large receiver apertures and large area-to-mass ratios of the dish are attainable. The latter might lead to a higher shape accuracy of the reflecting surface compared to the truss frame stabilization. We calculate the distribution of dipole moment that gives a parabolic surface in the approximation of no dish elasticity and no magnetic dish-dish interaction. A disadvantage is the relative large mass of the solenoid. However, we find that it can be about three times smaller in diameter than the dish.