Design problems of large space mirror radiotelescopes

Large space antennas can solve some actual problems of fundamental and applied investigations. Mirror antennas of large diameters (up to tens or hundreds of meters) are designed using an automatically deployed truss frame as a base onto which the radioreflecting surface is pulled (long-wave version) or precisely controllable panels are mounted (shortwave version). The reasons are discussed why antennas of millimeter range can be promptly developed. The factors are considered that influence on the resultant precision of the reflecting surface of the space antenna: technological errors in the process of frame manufacturing; technological errors during manufacturing of the reflecting surface; deformations due to thermal or force effects. To operate in the millimeter wavelength range, it is required to design antennas with automatic control of the reflecting surface. The analysis of the mathematical model of a modular mirror leads to the conclusion about the basic possibility of its adjustment.