Conductive Solid Surface Deployable Antenna for Space-based Remote Sensing

The proposed Phase II effort aims to improve the surface accuracy of Opterus’ Spiral Wrapped Antenna Technology (SWATH) reflector to enable operational frequencies greater than 200 GHz. Currently no spaceflight heritage solution exists for large aperture, high frequency, deployable reflectors for SmallSats or CubeSats. A proliferated constellation of CubeSats or SmallSats performing passive remote-sensing operations would improve weather forecasting capabilities by increasing understanding of current conditions over a larger area to inform predictive models. The proposed Phase II effort will consist of design, analysis, prototype, and test efforts to improve the RF performance and survivability of mm-band SWATH deployable technologies with an emphasis on hinge and reflector surface material selection, design, and manufacturing. Building on Phase I results, the project will integrate novel conductive hinge and surface materials into the reflector design, with an emphasis on advanced materials and hinges. Multiple hinge prototypes will be fabricated and tested iteratively through the program. Results from these coupon prototypes and a parallel finite element analysis effort will inform the detailed design of full scale 2.5m reflector prototypes for high frequency operation. Following the production of the 2.5m reflector, stow/deploy cycling and thermal cycling testing will take place to characterize repeatability in surface accuracy. Based on test results, the design will be iteratively refined, with key focus areas being surface accuracy, hinge performance, and antenna efficiency. Because of its primary application as a weather forecasting technology, SWATH is marketable to several NASA missions; however, SWATH is also particularly marketable for the large number of commercial entities that are launching high volume constellation systems for communications and remote sensing applications.