High Aspect Ratio Cylindrical Parabolic Antenna for Microsats

The subtopic requests advanced deployable parabolic antennas with an effective aperture of 4m2 that operate at frequencies up to 36GHz. Tendeg will produce a flight antenna design to meet a NASA specific science mission. Various feed systems will be explored including a beam scanning phased array feed along with multi-array feeds. The primary goal of this Phase I program will be to design and develop the primary reflector deployment mechanism and shape forming net. This will include construction of a proof of concept prototype which will contain a deployment mechanism, parabolic shaped slit tube back support, bulkhead rear supports, reflector netting, and mesh net back structure. This will demonstrate the ability for high packaging efficiencies for SmallSat and CubeSat buses.

The National Academies Decadal strategy for earth observation currently places high priority on earth observation capability across several areas of interest as part of the Surface Deformation and Change target. Each observation mission has different operational frequency requirements which need to be met. The missions span frequencies from L to Ka Band. These missions can include canopy penetrating radar for Earth surface characterization up to atmospheric weather predicting radar missions.

Non-NASA applications can be similar with regards to measuring and predicting weather phenomena. The proposed antenna can also be used for synthetic aperture radar applications that allow weather penetrating radar to detect and track assets including land and ocean surface vehicles, aircraft and missiles. This capability is enhanced by the ability to operate at dual frequencies providing high resolution tracking.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — 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.