← Back to NASA Technology Projects

Multi-Frequency & Multi-Beam Metasurface Antennas for Spaceborne Millimeter-Wave Radars

Completed TRL 2 (started at 2, targeting 4)

Description

The team will tackle 2 topics (multi-frequency and multiple beams) where very little work has been done in the field of metasurface antennas. In the first year of the dual-frequency metasurface antenna work, the JPL team proposes to design a 1 m diameter antenna that operates at Ka- and W-band (light precipitation and cloud radar). In the second year, more theoretical work to introduce 3 frequencies on a single aperture will be added into the tasks, working in collaboration with UNC Charlotte. In terms of the second topic, the JPL team proposes to design a 2.1 m diameter multi-beam metasurface antenna operating at Ka-band.

Benefits

Accelerate mission development and reduce risk by developing critical components and subsystems for advanced instruments and observing systems

Details

Technology areaSensors and Instruments > Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors
ProgramAdvanced Component Technology Program (ACT)
Lead organizationJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
Start date2021-10-15
End date2025-02-28

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 2) — 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.