Advanced Deployable/Inflatable Antenna Apertures at Frequencies up to Millimeter-Wave

Opterus addresses the small spacecraft reflector challenge with its patent pending Spiral Wrapped Antenna Technology (SWATH). SWATH is a fully continuous, solid surface deployable parabolic reflector architecture. The continuous solid surface enables higher frequency operation than mesh systems at lower costs. SWATH leverages Opterus’ high strain composite (HSC) material technologies as the primary structural element; this material innovation provides material stiffness within the reflector shell while accommodating high bending strains to stow extremely compactly, readily conforming to CubeSat and SmallSat form factors. Further, SWATH leverages a mold-based manufacturing process for low-cost, rapid manufacturability.

NASA has outlined a need for deployable high frequency antenna apertures for space-based air pressure sensing on earth via systems such as oxygen band radars. Such technologies would address gaps in weather forecasting abilities as a result of inabilities to accurately measure atmospheric pressure from long ranges, such as over oceans. A proliferated constellation of CubeSats or SmallSats performing sensing operations in the oxygen band would improve weather forecasting capabilities by increasing understanding of current conditions over a larger area to inform predictive models. Currently, such oxygen band measurements are made by flying manned aircraft into storms to collect data; a proliferated space-based sensing system would eliminate the risks of operating such manned aircraft in storms. Commercial companies including larger primes as well as newer startups in the space industry and other government entities all require antenna solutions for various applications. The low cost, net shape molded manufacturing, and favorable compaction ratio of SWATH make it attractive for a wide range of Non-NASA applications.

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