Abstract: This paper presents a method to measure strain distributions and then calculate the displacements for solving the problem of thermal distortion of a satellite parabolic antenna made of carhon fibre composites. The technique using strain gages to measure distortions of carbon fibre composite structure induced by temperature in the range of -180～120℃ is described. Finally, a thermal cycling test completed in vacuum on a carbon fibre parabolic antenna reflector is also deseribed, and the results of the measured thermal distortions and displacements obtained by analysis are satisfactory.