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Inflatable Microstrip Reflectarray Antennas at X and Ka-band FrequenciesInflatable antenna technology is being developed by JPL/NASA to enable the capabilities of low mass, high packaging efficiency, and low-cost deployment for future spacecraft high-gain and large aperture antennas. One of the technologies being considered is the inflatable microstrip reflectarray. A conventional inflatable parabolic reflector antenna will offer similar advantages with the added capability of wide electrical bandwidth. However, it suffers from the difficulty of maintaining its required large, thin, and curved-parabolic surface in the space environment. Since the microstrip reflectarray has the "natural" flat reflecting surface, it is much easier to maintain the required surface tolerance using an inflatable structure. This is the primary reason, despite its narrow bandwidth characteristic, that the inflatable microstrip reflectarray is being studied. This article discusses an already-developed one-meter X-band inflatable microstrip reflectarray and a three-meter Ka-band inflatable microstrip reflectarray which is currently under development. Both antennas' RF structures are designed at JPL and their mechanical inflatable structures are designed and manufactured at ILC Dover, Inc.
Document ID
20050123774
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Huang, John
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Feria, Alfonso
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1999
Publication Information
Publication: IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium, Volume 3
Subject Category
Communications And Radar
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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