Description
The objective of this activity is to design, develop and test a large Ka-band reflector antenna concept (1 m to 3 m, scalable up to5 m) for small satellites(50 to 150Kg) in low earth orbit. Large offset reflector concepts with a low stowage ratio (less than 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm) shall be studied and tradedoff. A demonstrator shall be designed, manufactured and tested.
Targeted Improvements:Enabling European independence with respect to this type of product.
Description: Non-geostationary-satellite-orbit (NGSO) constellations of small satellites have recently become very attractive. They have the potential to offer highcapacity, full Earth coverage and low latency services. Today, these satellites utilise medium gain antennas with moderately broad coverage.
Future small satellite constellations target higher frequency re-use to significantly increase the system capacity, as well as the use of smaller groundterminals. This requires multiple-beam satellite antennas that provide high directivity over the service area. In viewof the required antenna aperture size(1 m to 3 m diameter), and the very limited accommodation space (less than 30 cm x 30 cm x 30cm), one attractive antenna solution is unfurlablereflectors. Small satellites in medium earth orbit (MEO) and geosynchronous -orbit (GSO) could also benefit from this technology.
In this activity, a large unfurlable reflector concept for small satellites shall be designedand validated, and a representative breadboard shall bemanufactured and tested. The reflector shall be support frequencies from Ka-band to Q/V-band. The test campaign shall include, as a minimum, adeployment/stowage test and a surface profile measurement. Application of the technology in NGSO and GSO small satellite networks shall beassessed.
Tender Specifics