An ultra-compact helical antenna for small satellites
- Paper number
IAC-19,C2,2,12,x52297
- Author
Dr. Geoffrey Knott, United Kingdom, Surrey Space Centre - University of Surrey
- Coauthor
Dr. Andrew Viquerat, United Kingdom, Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey
- Year
2019
- Abstract
Space data services provide the largest market value to the global space industry. With the increasing use of small satellites that lower costs and lead times, the entrepreneurial space age has begun. However, advances are required to miniaturize technology and improve small-satellite capabilities, which are limited by their small volumes and lower power. This research develops an ultra-compact and high-gain, directional antenna for small satellites. The antenna is a helically curved boom that is deployed from a coil. The boom is an open slit tube. A folded ground plane is simultaneously deployed by unrolling a number of straight booms, which are co-coiled with the helix, that support an electrically conductive mesh. A prototype of the antenna system has been built to test and validate the deployer mechanism, co-deployment strategy, and dimensional stability of the helical antenna and gossamer ground plane. The architecture builds on proven space technology, specifically the deployer mechanism and gossamer structure of the InflateSail drag de-orbiting sail that successfully demonstrated low-Earth orbit space-debris removal in 2017. In this work the sail is repurposed to boost the radio frequency performance of the helical antenna, which can be used for de-orbiting at the end-of-life.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-19,C2,2,12,x52297.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.