Planar Metasurface Reconfigurable W-band Antenna for Beam Steering

In general, radar and radiometer instruments for Earth Science measurements need a scanning antenna capability. Mechanical conical scanning is suitable for certain applications, but not cloud and precipitation vertical profiling. At W-band technologies to achieve electronic scanning are being developed but require a phased array feed + reflector solution which is not well suited for very small platforms where it is necessary to launch with a stowed configuration and deploy in space. We propose to develop Planar Metasurface Reconfigurable Antenna with electronic beam Steering capability (PMRSA). PMRSA do not require the use of a feed at the focal point; they are compact and flat, the feed point is in the middle of a very thin planar surface. They are therefore ideally shaped for panel-folding in Cubesats. For proof-of-concept demonstration, we will design and develop a W-band PMRSA and show its scanning capabilities over a wide range of scanning angles.

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

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