The progress in the area of electronic hardware has allowed a significant reduction in the size of satellites, and there has been an incredible growth in the nanosatellite market, e.g. cubesats. However, despite the reduction of the size of the electronics, other equipment, such as optical elements like mirrors or lenses, or antennas, cannot be reduced significantly without a decrease in performance. This has generated a growing interest in deployable structures, where particular elements are maintained stowed, and then deployed to their required size in orbit.
The purpose of this project is to carry out a review of the current technologies utilized for antennas and identify the best solution applicable to Helicoid Antenna. Various concepts will be assessed, and a preliminary design of a novel system will be produced and analysed. It is expected that besides research, design and computational work, the students will also have to produce physical model(s) (e.g. 3D printed) as proof of concept of the mechanism.
Undergraduate
Survey of the state of the art
Theoretical & Experimental investigation on current technologies
Proposed technical solution.
Proof of concept (Hardware)
Final report
None
Space Institute Lab (405.443, Lab)