Conductive Solid Surface Deployable Antenna for Space-based Remote Sensing

The proposed Phase II effort aims to improve the surface accuracy of Opterus’ Spiral Wrapped Antenna Technology (SWATH) reflector to enable operational frequencies greater than 200 GHz. Currently no spaceflight heritage solution exists for large aperture, high frequency, deployable reflectors for SmallSats or CubeSats. A proliferated constellation of CubeSats or SmallSats performing passive remote-sensing operations would improve weather forecasting capabilities by increasing understanding of current conditions over a larger area to inform predictive models. The proposed Phase II effort will consist of design, analysis, prototype, and test efforts to improve the RF performance and survivability of mm-band SWATH deployable technologies with an emphasis on hinge and reflector surface material selection, design, and manufacturing. Building on Phase I results, the project will integrate novel conductive hinge and surface materials into the reflector design, with an emphasis on advanced materials and hinges. Multiple hinge prototypes will be fabricated and tested iteratively through the program. Results from these coupon prototypes and a parallel finite element analysis effort will inform the detailed design of full scale 2.5m reflector prototypes for high frequency operation. Following the production of the 2.5m reflector, stow/deploy cycling and thermal cycling testing will take place to characterize repeatability in surface accuracy. Based on test results, the design will be iteratively refined, with key focus areas being surface accuracy, hinge performance, and antenna efficiency. Because of its primary application as a weather forecasting technology, SWATH is marketable to several NASA missions; however, SWATH is also particularly marketable for the large number of commercial entities that are launching high volume constellation systems for communications and remote sensing applications.

SWATH’s primary applications include Earth Science Measurement, Climate Monitoring, and Weather Forecasting. Specific mission applications include Surface Deformation and Change (SDC), Surface, Topography, and Vegetation (STV), or Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL). SWATH enables small satellite missions requiring deployable apertures that operate at frequencies above where mesh systems begin to degrade, Ka higher. In addition, SWATH has great utility in communications and radar systems. SWATH is particularly well suited to deep space and lunar surface communications systems where long transit distances require large aperture high gain antennas. Further, SWATH is applicable to earth and planetary radar missions for surface topology and deformation. Finally, SWATH’s solid surface make it ideal as a solar concentrator for lunar surface thermal management systems and ISRU systems requiring high sunlight concentrations factors. Non-NASA SWATH applications also include communications and radar systems; however, the end users differ. As K and lower communication bands fill, spectrum is being opened in Q and V bands. These bands are not well suited to mesh systems and SWATH is being considered for several very small aperture terminal (VSAT) systems. Of note are micro-GEO and cislunar applications with long transmission distances requiring high gain antennas. In radar systems, SWATH offers lower cost mold based production for high volume constellations and higher operational frequencies for increased resolution.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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