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An embodiment of the invention generally relates to an apparatus for deploying a segmented reflector antenna. The apparatus includes a plurality of segments that can be rigid or flexible where each segment is hinged to an adjacent segment on either longitudinal side. The apparatus also includes a ba

An embodiment of the invention generally relates to an apparatus for deploying a segmented reflector antenna. The apparatus includes a plurality of segments that can be rigid or flexible where each segment is hinged to an adjacent segment on either longitudinal side. The apparatus also includes a base, a plurality of inner deployment beams, and a plurality of outer deployment beams. Each inner deployment beam connects an inner side of a respective segment to the base and having a folded position and an extended position. Each outer deployment beam connects an outside side of a respective segment to the base and has a folded position and an extended position. The plurality of segments in a hinged folded position in response to the plurality of inner deployment beams being in the folded position and the outer deployment beams being in the folded position.

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What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for deploying an antenna comprising: a plurality of segments, each segment hinged to an adjacent segment on a longitudinal side; a base; a plurality of inner deployment beams, each inner deployment beam connecting an inner side of a respective segment to the base

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for deploying an antenna comprising: a plurality of segments, each segment hinged to an adjacent segment on a longitudinal side; a base; a plurality of inner deployment beams, each inner deployment beam connecting an inner side of a respective segment to the base and each inner deployment beam having a folded position and an extended position; and a plurality of outer deployment beams, each outer deployment beam connecting an outer side of a respective segment to the base and each outer deployment having a folded position and an extended position, wherein said plurality of segments are in a hinged folded position in response to said plurality of inner deployment beams being in the folded position and said outer deployment beams being in the folded position. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of segments are fully extended in response to said plurality of inner and outer deployment beams being in the extended positions. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inner and outer deployment beams comprise of folding beams. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inner and outer deployment beams comprise of telescoping beams. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said base has a shape of one of annular, cylindrical, conical or rectangular. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base is adapted to house electronic, optical or other equipment. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each segment is rigid. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each segment is flexible. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a secondary reflector; and a plurality of reflector deployment beams, each beam having an extended position and a folded position, wherein a first end of each deployment beam connected to the secondary reflector and a second end of each deployment beam connected to a position on an outside edge of a respective segment. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each segment is attached to an adjacent segment on the longitudinal side by more than one hinge. 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first subset of the plurality of segments is rigid and a second subset of the plurality segments is flexible. 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each outer deployment beam is constructed from one of aluminum, invar, graphite epoxy, plastic, composites silicon carbide, shape memory materials, and rigidizable materials. 13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each inner deployment beam is constructed from one of aluminum, invar, graphite epoxy, plastic, composites silicon carbide, shape memory materials, and rigidizable materials. 14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each segment of the plurality of segments is constructed from one of glass, silicon carbide, nanolaminates, copper, aluminum, beryllium, composites, plastics, and membrane materials. 15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each segment further comprise of shape control actuators embedded within the segment. 16. A method for deploying an antenna, said method comprising: extending a plurality of inner and outer deployment beams in a folded position, said inner and outer deployment beams attached to a base of the antenna and to an inner and outer edges, respectively, of a plurality of segments, each segment hinged to an adjacent segment on a longitudinal side; and forming a deployed position for the antenna in response to said inner and outer deployment beams reaching a deployed position and said plurality of segments being in an extended state. 17. An apparatus for deploying an antenna comprising: a plurality of segments, each segment hinged to two other segments on a respective longitudinal side; a base; a plurality of inner deployment beams, each inner deployment beam connecting an inner side of a respective mirror segment to the base and each inner deployment beam having a folded position and an extended position; and a plurality of outer deployment beams, each outer deployment beam connecting an outside side of a respective mirror segment to the base and each outer deployment having a folded position and an extended position, wherein said plurality of mirrors are in substantially coplanar position in response to said plurality of inner deployment beams being in an extended position and said outer deployment beams being in the extended position. 18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said plurality of mirrors are in a hinged folded position in response to said plurality of inner and outer deployment beams being in their respective folded positions. 19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said inner and outer deployment beams comprise of folding beams. 20. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said inner and outer deployment beams comprise of telescoping beams. 21. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said inner and outer deployment means comprise a combination of folding and telescoping beams. 22. The apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising: a base ring connected to said base and wherein each inner deployment beam of said plurality of inner deployment beams is attached. 23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said base ring is collapsible. 24. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said base ring has a shape of one of annular, cylindrical, conical or rectangular. 25. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the base ring is adapted to house electronic equipment. 26. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the segment is constructed from a rigid material. 27. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the segment is constructed from a flexible material. 28. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of segments form an accordion-like formation in response to being folded. 29. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein for each segment, one set of hinge means are attached in a first direction on one longitudinal side and a second set of hinge means are attached in a second direction on the second longitudinal side.