Tenders Are Invited For Unfurlable Stepped Reflector For High Fidelity Ranging Signals And Phase Stability

Tenders are invited for Unfurlable Stepped Reflector for High Fidelity Ranging Signals and Phase Stability - Expro+ Objective: To design manufacture and test a new innovative Shaped Unfurlable Stepped Reflector for Next Positioning Navigation and Timing Small Satellite Antennas.Description: Future scenarios for the evolution in the Positioning Navigation and Timing services, see the introduction of small satellites as the most attractive solution for cost reduction and the use of different frequencies foreach specific applications. In Europe, for global coverage, consolidated technologies for array configuration have been developed in the past years showing excellent performance in terms of end of coverage gain, power handling and phase stability. However these technologies are not considered adequate for future small satellites, or hosted payloads where mass and volume are very strong requirements. Dual shaped reflector unfurlable stepped antennas, are considered one of the best candidates in this possible scenario, compatible with geostationary, inclined geostationary, medium, low medium , and low orbits, providing reduced stowed volume, and complexity in the overall RF antenna architecture compared with the equivalent array solutions. In addition this configuration will allow to minimize the gain variation over coverage (isoflux like pattern) compared to canonical shape unfurlable reflectors. One of the objectives of the activity will be to reduce the stowed footprint by around 60% for reflectors with a deployed diameter of 1.5 meters. This activity encompasses the following tasks: - Identification, based on literature review and technical trade-offs, of the most promising technology and deployment methods; -Detailed design of the deployment mechanisms for the stepped reflector and reflector membrane/mesh support to guarantee the adequate shape to the surface after the completion of the deployment; - Manufacturing, deployment and RF testing of the breadboard to validate the concept. Read less Tender Link : https://esastar-publication-ext.sso.esa.int/ESATenderActions/filter/open