← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 3)
The objective of this effort is to develop a dual band antenna architecture that can provide full duplex Ka-band within the NASA near Earth bands and full duplex X-band within the NASA near Earth and deep space bands from a single parabolic antenna aperture. The development of a full duplex Ka-band antenna provides a new capability, and the dual-band X/Ka architecture provides SWaP-C reductions by eliminating an antenna aperture. There are two key technology developments as part of this IRAD:
Antenna Feed Developments: A new X-band feed will be developed for use in the dual-band system, leveraging the all-metal solderless X-band patch antenna designed as part of a GSFC FY22 IRAD. A new Ka-band feed will be developed to include uplink frequencies, leveraging the wideband waveguide polarizer that was designed as part of an GSFC FY22 IRAD.
X/Ka Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) Subreflector: For previous spacecraft developments, frequency selective surfaces were developed and used in HGAs for S-band (uplink and downlink) and Ka-band (downlink only). Leveraging the expertise gained in previous FSS developments, we will develop a new FSS subreflector for full duplex X-band and Ka-band. The work done here will also provide advancements towards development of an S-band and Ka-band (uplink and downlink) FSS, furthering the S/Ka dual band architecture.
A reference dual-band X/Ka antenna system (with full duplex Ka-band) will be designed to provide end-to-end antenna system performance estimates of the new technology developments. The reference antenna system will incorporate the new FSS and feed antenna designs. Reflector shaping will be used to optimize the Ka-band performance.
This IRAD effort enhances current state of the art capability in two keyways:
Full Duplex Ka-band operation has been an assumed capability of next generation spacecraft. Previous mission studies at Goddard have assumed this capability for many years. This assumption reduces mass, volume, jitter, etc., but carries a significant risk due to the low TRL of these systems. This IRAD will validate those assumptions and result in cost savings and risk mitigation for future missions.
Dual Band X/Ka would be a new capability for Goddard and will result in significant mass and volume savings compared to separate antenna systems. This is especially attractive for LunaNet relays and manned lunar missions, where the more reliable X-band link will be used for voice communications while the high gain Ka-band link will be used for video streams and science data. Dual X/Ka has also been a desired capability for the Planetary Decadal Mission Studies.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — 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.