Enabling Larger Deployable Ka-Band Antenna Apertures with Novel Rib

The significance and relevance of the proposed innovation is to design and develop a novel rib that will enable 2-6m aperture parabolic reflectors and antennas for smallsats. The rib will be rollable and allow 100: 1 compaction ratios. It will provide deployment authority and deployed structural integrity meeting Ka-band precision requirements. Higher communication data rates, longer transmission distances, increased sensor capacity for active radar and radiometers are all directly related to larger aperture sizes.

The proposed innovation relative to NASA needs will be focused on small to medium aperture antennas up to Ka-band and used for Earth observing science missions (RainCube radar, radiometers), deep space communications, and any mission needing high data rate down links. The rib technology would enable larger apertures for any higher gain mission needs.

There is strong market growth in CubeSat up to smallsat size satellites in the commercial arena. Numerous communications, data transfer and Earth observation constellations are planned. Many of them would benefit from a lightweight, small packaged volume, high gain antenna. In the terrestrial market, the U.S. Military is seeking man-packable high gain antennas for forward operating Warfighters.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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