Description
The objective of this activity is to develop a prototype model of a deployable high-gain antenna for smaller satellite platforms.
Targeted improvements: Improved performance of communicationsolutions based on smaller satellites by improving the gain of on board antennas. Currently there is no solution for deployable high gain antennas on smaller satellites within ESA Member States.
Description: A number of satellite communication missions based on smaller satellites are being considered in industry.
As smaller satellite platforms are often power limited for what concerns their telecommunication payloads, deployable high gain antennas could compensate for the lack of power. Such high gain antennas would be required for future missions in various frequency bands (S, VHF, UHF, L and Ka/Ku).
In the U.S. a number of deployable antennas (e.g. 50 cm S-band antenna on 3U Cubesat and reflect-array for Ka-band) have already flown or will be in orbit soon.
The activity shall identify requirements for deployable antenna structures for a number of frequency bands based on upcoming missions needs. The requirements shall be identified in collaboration with the small satellite community. The activity shall then design, develop and test a prototype model of the most promising concept.
Within the activity, a flight opportunity for the deployable antenna shall be sought.
Tender Specifics