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Deployable Microwave Antennas for CubeSats, NanoSats, and SmallSats
Completed
TRL 6 (started at 5, targeting 6)
Description
A mesh based parabolic antenna reflector for Ka-band operation will be developed and delivered. The reflector with a rigid support rim will have surface accuracy of 0.1 mm.
Benefits
A number of Earth observing applications exist where active and passive microwave sensors play an important role. In addition, space communication and navigation can be improved with larger antenna apertures. Both of these general application areas will benefit from a large deployable antenna aperture.
There is a race towards a commercial weather observing systems. There are potential customers, such as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and US Air Force that are each running a commercial weather data pilot program currently. Microwave weather observations are crucial for the numerical weather prediction models. The miniaturization of these sensor requires deployable reflector.
Details
| Technology area | Sensors and Instruments > Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors > Microwave, Millimeter Waves, and Submillimeter Waves |
| Program | Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer (SBIR/STTR) |
| Lead organization | Boulder Environmental Sciences and Technology, Boulder, CO |
| Start date | 2019-09-26 |
| End date | 2020-08-30 |
Project contacts
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
How to get involved
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.
None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.