SBIR-STTR Award

The significance and relevance of the proposed innovation is to design and develop a novel rib that will enable larger aperture parabolic reflectors and antennas. The gain and performance of any reflector is a function of the diameter. Higher communication data rates, longer transmission distances, increased sensor capacity for active radar and radiometers are all directly related to aperture size. The challenge is being able to achieve these larger apertures and still have the packaging efficiency to enable more cost effective small satellites. Tendeg has designed, fabricated and surface tested a 1m aperture Ka-band reflector that is able to package into a 3U cubesat volume. The unique design allows 100:1 area compaction ratios yet the deployed antenna is achieving the surface precision needed for Ka-band operations. Scaling to larger apertures will require a new rib design. Trade studies will consider multiple cross sections, materials and fabrication methods. One configuration is the mini-CTM under development at Langley Research Center. Detailed design will be completed to optimize the integration of each potential rib configuration. Finite element analysis will determine stiffness during deployment and deployed buckling capacity. Testing of a mini-CTM will be done to determine packaging and buckling performance. At the completion of the program a down selected design will be proposed for a Phase II prototype program.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) NASA commercial applications include any Ka-Band 2-4m aperture antennas used for Earth observing science missions (RainCube radar), deep space communications, and any mission needing high data rate downlinks.

Potential NON-NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) There is strong market potential in CubeSat up to smallsat size satellites in the commercial arena. There are numerous communication and data transfer constellations on-orbit and under construction. There are also numerous commercial Earth observation constellations under development. Billions of dollars are being invested in these constellations. Most of these commercial networks are small to nano sized satellites. Many of them would benefit from the lightweight, small packaged volume and high gain antenna performance for either high speed RF communications or weather and ground looking radar. In the terrestrial market, the U.S. Military is actively seeking man-packable high gain antennas for forward operating Warfighters.

Technology Taxonomy Mapping:
(NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.) Analytical Methods Antennas Characterization Composites Machines/Mechanical Subsystems Metallics Models & Simulations (see also Testing & Evaluation) Processing Methods Structures

The significance and relevance of the proposed innovation is to design and develop a novel rib that will enable 2-6m aperture parabolic reflectors and antennas for smallsats. The rib will be rollable and allow 100: 1 compaction ratios. It will provide deployment authority and deployed structural integrity meeting Ka-band precision requirements. Higher communication data rates, longer transmission distances, increased sensor capacity for active radar and radiometers are all directly related to larger aperture sizes.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) The proposed innovation relative to NASA needs will be focused on small to medium aperture antennas up to Ka-band and used for Earth observing science missions (RainCube radar, radiometers), deep space communications, and any mission needing high data rate down links. The rib technology would enable larger apertures for any higher gain mission needs.



Potential NON-NASA Commercial Applications:
:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) There is strong market growth in CubeSat up to smallsat size satellites in the commercial arena. Numerous communications, data transfer and Earth observation constellations are planned. Many of them would benefit from a lightweight, small packaged volume, high gain antenna. In the terrestrial market, the U.S. Military is seeking man-packable high gain antennas for forward operating Warfighters.

Technology Taxonomy Mapping:
(NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.) Analytical Methods Antennas Characterization Command & Control Composites Deployment Machines/Mechanical Subsystems Metallics Prototyping Structures