Self-Orienting Low-Drag UHF Nanosatellite Antenna

To address the Navy’s need for a high-performance UHF antenna for nanosatellites, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Self-Orienting Low-Drag UHF Nanosatellite Antenna (SOLUNA). This proposed device is based on a compact, high-performance UHF antenna, and a novel low-drag, self-orienting mechanical design. The integration of state-of-the-art antenna technology with a novel self-orienting low-drag mechanical design will enable SOLUNA to offer 11 dB gain, right-hand circularly polarized, in the 280-400 MHz band while maintaining a low-drag cross-section of 10 cm x 10 cm and maintain a communications link with ground receivers for up to two years of operational life in low Earth orbit (LEO). As a result, this system offers simultaneous transmitting and receiving over a 700 km range and maintains a 400 km altitude LEO for 2 years, which directly address the Mobile User Objective System program requirements for a CubeSat-based UHF antenna. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of SOLUNA by developing a system design; modeling the antenna’s performance, size, and weight; and estimating mission life based on atmospheric drag. In Phase II, POC plans to develop a prototype that will be evaluated and demonstrated in a simulated space environment.