Chapter 9
Microstrip Array Technologies for Space Applications
9.1 Introduction
The market for space antennas, in particular in communication applications, is quite conservative and historically dominated by reflector antennas (using travelling wave tubes (TWT)s) whose performance, design methodology, processes and technology have been optimized during the last 24 years to meet really high standards (e.g. shaped multiple feed per beam (MFPB) or single feed per beam (SFPB). However, there are specific driving requirements where antenna arrays are the only viable solution. Active antenna arrays are the dominant solution for newcomer requirements such as pattern flexibility (e.g. power and frequency), electronic beam steering capability, graceful degradation or multibeam capability. Although space antenna arrays are developed for a broad range of applications from communications to Earth observation or scientific missions, there is a common technological background behind such diversified requirements and missions.
Antenna development for space applications involves a wide variety of disciplines due to the difficult thermal and mechanical environment and to the reliability and testing requirements. In the case of ...
