Ultra-Lightweight, Thermally Stable, Continuous Fiber Reinforced Composite Silicon Carbide (CFRC SiC) Antenna for Application to Space-Based EHF Com.

New technologies are required for the next generation of EHF communication systems. As the volume of information between space platforms and the earth increases innovative technologies will be required which will allow efficient communication. SSG proposes an innovative CRFC form of SiC as a revolutionary material for communication antenna reflectors. Its primary benefit is a significant reduction in antenna weight (5 to 8x compared to MILSTAR satellite requirements). This weight reduction has numerous benefits for future communication systems: 1) decreased power requirements; 2) increased lifetimes; and most importantly 3) significantly decreased launch costs for space-based systems. The CFRC SiC system proposed offers the additional benefits of being more durable and reliable (due to superior materials properties and monolithic fabrication capabilities) and providing increased thermal stability (due to materials properties and athermalized design capabilities). These benefits can be realized at a production cost which is less than half of that associated with present technologies. Demostration of the proposed technology requires three milestones: 1) Development of near-net-shape fabrication techniques, specifically for antenna reflector substrates; 2) demonstration that the CFRC SiC can maintain the surface figure and surface roughness required by antenna reflectors; and 3) demonstration of the thermal stability of the CFRC SiC. The objective of the proposed effort is fabricate and test a proof-of-concept antenna reflector; and fabricate and test a prototype reflector in order to demonstrate the benefits promised by the innovative technology. The potential weight/cost savings associated with the proposed technology have been recognized by the MILSATCOM joint program office (MJPO). A support letter outlining MJPO's interest in the proposed technology is attached.| Benefits: The proposed ultra-lightweight antenna reflector technology promises to significantly reduce the weight and therefore the launch costs associated with both military (i.e., MILSTAR secure communication satellite system) and commercial communication systems. The weight savings are significant enough to reduce launch vehicle requirements and deployment costs, and in this way opening up entirely new markets in the global communications arena.|