Novel deployable reflectarray antennas for CubeSat communications

Abstract

Two novel high gain deployable retlectarray antennas to support CubeSat telecommunications are described and compared with other high gain CubeSat antenna technologies. The first retlectarray is the Integrated Solar Array and Retlectarray Antenna (ISARA), a KIKa-band antenna that also incorporates a dense packing of solar cells used to provide electrical power for the spacecraft. The second is an X-band retlectarray designed to provide a bent pipe telecom link. These retlectarrays are ideal for CubeSat applications because they require negligible stowed volume and impose a modest mass increase. The antenna designs and measured performance results are presented.

Single layered swastika-shaped flexible linear-to-circular polarizer using textiles for S-band application

“…Cube Satellites (CubeSats), a new class of picosatellites, have established itself as an eminent cost‐effective functional alternative to large satellites in the realm of space exploration . They are typically deployed in or around the low Earth orbit (LEO).…”

“…CubeSat application, linear-to-circular polarizer, S-band polarizer, textile polarizer 1 | INTRODUCTION Cube Satellites (CubeSats), a new class of picosatellites, have established itself as an eminent cost-effective functional alternative to large satellites in the realm of space exploration. [1][2][3][4] Such satellites are sent into orbit for dedicated tasks such as imaging, monitoring, and location tracking and etc. 2,[4][5][6] They are typically deployed in or around the low Earth orbit (LEO).…”

“…[1][2][3][4] Such satellites are sent into orbit for dedicated tasks such as imaging, monitoring, and location tracking and etc. 2,[4][5][6] They are typically deployed in or around the low Earth orbit (LEO). A spectrum of frequencies has been assigned by Federal Communications Commission and one of the recommended bands is in the S-band, from 2.39 to 2.45 GHz, 3,7 typically used for climate observation, space weather forecasting and monitoring.…”

Optimization design method of arbitrarily shaped elements for wideband reflectarrays

“…Recently, many studies of reflectarrays have been carried out for various applications such as millimeter imaging systems, and deployable antennas for satellite systems [1,2]. The GA(genetic algorithm) optimization for reflectarrays is one of useful design methods [3].…”

Reflectarray resonant elements for linear to circular polarization conversion

“…So, they have been expected as an alternative to the conventional parabolic reflectors. Recently, many studies have been carried out in different applications such as millimeter imaging systems, and deployable antennas for satellite systems [1,2]. In general, circular-polarized wave is often used in many applications.…”