ARTES-5.1 – ESA Telecom Technology Workplan ... - Emits - ESA

Annex 2Page 31Ref. Activity Title Procurement Policy Budget(KEUR)5B.044(07.153.04)Objective:Description:Planned TenderIssueAntenna Reflectors using European Mesh Open Competitive Tender Type: C 750 Priority 2 16Estimated Duration(months)The objective is to study antenna reflectors using mesh technology with applications in frequencies up to Ka-band. The study shall include the design of a reflector using mesh technology andrealisation and test of representatively sized mesh samples suitable at least for Ku band.The need for larger sized apertures has been identified for different telecommunication applications, namely Mobile Communications (currently L and S band), Broadcast applications (todaytypically in C and Ku-band and in near-future Ka-band) and high data traffic spot-beam type applications (Ka-band). For these applications the antenna configurations and requirements areknown. The knitted mesh has been identified as an enabling technology for several of these antenna configurations. It is therefore important to secure such technology in Europe. Specialknitted mesh with its elastic properties when appropriately tensioned allows realisation of antennas for such applications for various reflector antenna configurations for the mentionedfrequency bands. Recent developments in the US and Japan have demonstrated applications for antennas at up to Ka-band. Its application potential has been investigated in part also in Europefor the lower frequency bands with advanced demonstrators for deployable (for instance 5 m) reflectors and more recently in the frame of the large deployable reflector qualification model.That demonstration obviously included the excellent benefit of mesh for stowed versus deployed volume (packaging during launch as needed for deployable reflectors).Furthermore, adaptation to desirable coverage or flexible multi-beam scenarios is becoming more and more important, with the longer lifetime of satellites and changes of interests for theproviders during the lifetime, this require adaptive antenna configurations. All these mission applications put strong demands on the costs and therefore on the critical elements, in particularthe antenna. The knitted mesh is identified as an enabling technology for such antenna configurations.Dedicated explorations and current experiences indicate very well, that knitted mesh - for different frequency band applications - can be realised with European knowledge and capabilities(available material, processes and know-how). The implementation of a source of European mesh is a long-term strategy and needs a demonstration with a realisation of space-qualified meshsamples.The activity concerns the reflector design and the definition of the requirements on the mesh. This shall be performed for the wide range of frequencies up Ka band. Then it will include theimplementation and demonstration of a source in Europe to provide mesh for different antenna applications up to Ka-band. Representative samples suitable for Ku band shall be produced ofsufficient size and number and validated by tests including: RF (including PIM), mechanical/structural, thermal, thermo-elastic, thermal cycling and ageing. Mesh handling and integration onreflector supporting structures shall be closely investigated via sample testing.NOTE: This activity has been designated as "Priority 2". Priority 2 activities will only be initiated on the explicit request of at least one delegation.