{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":90569,"title":"Ka-Band Electronically Steered CubeSat Antenna","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10660,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10654,"level":3,"code":"TX05.2.6","title":"Innovative Antennas","definition":"Flight and ground antennas provide more innovative effective apertures than those currently in operation, with high efficiency but lower mass per unit area and accurate pointing.","exampleTechnologies":"Deployable antennas; phased array antennas; atmospheric phase compensation for uplink arrays at Ka-Band; small-satellite distributed multiple input multiple output (MIMO); conformal, low-mass antenna systems; antenna array architecture enablers","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":4,"currentTrl":4,"endTrl":4,"benefits":"This Ka-band CubeSat antenna is a small, lightweight antenna which provides moderate gain without the use of mechanical steering or power-hungry phase shifters. The modifications defined in this proposal will move it one step closer to being launch-ready for a CubeSat 3U or larger satellite in low Earth orbit. This technology provides a high data rate communications solution for small satellites which, when paired with sensors, would provide NASA with the ability to receive high volumes of sensor data directly from LEO satellites. This has potential applications to a variety of NASA interests, ranging from earth observation activities to experiments performed on LEO satellites. The technology could also be leveraged to provide inter-satellite links, allowing NASA increased communications architecture technology.
The CubeSat standard was defined by a university team in order to reduce cost and complexity of the launch of small satellites. Because they often do not have very much funding, university organizations developing CubeSats would benefit significantly from a small, lightweight, high-gain antenna which uses very little power and is available at relatively low cost. Aside from organizations who are interested in satellites, this small and lightweight antenna is appropriate for a variety of other applications. These include systems where either the antenna host platform or the antenna with which it is communicating is moving (or both), including aircraft, small marine craft, and mobile ground assets. This antenna is an especially good fit for entities that have low weight and power requirements, as these are areas where it performs exceptionally well compared to traditional mechanically-steered antennas as well as phased-array antennas.","description":"Kymeta Government Solutions (KGS) recently designed, analyzed, built, tested, and delivered a small, lightweight, low-cost, low-power electronically steered prototype antenna for use on CubeSat antennas in low Earth orbit. Like all Kymeta/KGS metamaterial antenna systems, this antenna uses a tunable dielectric material and an array of radiating elements to create an interference pattern that steers the beam in the desired direction. This method provides moderate gain without the use of mechanical steering and similar functional performance to a traditional phased array at a fraction of the size, weight, power, and cost (SWAP-C). This prototype antenna meets RF performance goals but was designed as a proof of concept lab test unit with no environmental requirements. As a result, it needs a variety of minor modifications to be capable of surviving launch, to be capable of operating in the space atmosphere, and to better integrate into a CubeSat. This Phase I proposal focuses on the design of four updates to the antenna aperture to better meet requirements in the installed environment. Survivability during launch will be increased by a modification of the antenna-to-drive electronics connectors as well as the addition of two new bolts between the waveguide and radiating cell board; a redesign of the radiating cell will improve observed performance parameters during operation at temperature; and a modification of the waveguide will minimize the antenna footprint in a 3U CubeSat. If awarded, Phase I deliverables will include analysis and simulations of expected results, as well as a plan for fabrication and verification of the design during Phase II. If awarded Phase II, KGS would build and test the antennas designed in Phase I; if this testing indicates that the designs perform as expected based on analysis, the antenna itself would be ready to go to space.","startYear":2016,"startMonth":6,"endYear":2016,"endMonth":12,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":3251127,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Margo","lastName":"Godon","fullName":"Margo Godon","fullNameInverted":"Godon, Margo","primaryEmail":"mgodon@kymetagov.com","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":306635,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Margaret","lastName":"Godon","fullName":"Margaret R Godon","fullNameInverted":"Godon, Margaret R","middleInitial":"R","primaryEmail":"Mgodon@Kymetagov.Com","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":206378,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jason","lastName":"Kessler","fullName":"Jason L Kessler","fullNameInverted":"Kessler, Jason L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jason.l.kessler@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":215154,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jennifer","lastName":"Gustetic","fullName":"Jennifer L Gustetic","fullNameInverted":"Gustetic, Jennifer L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jennifer.l.gustetic@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":62051,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Carlos","lastName":"Torrez","fullName":"Carlos Torrez","fullNameInverted":"Torrez, Carlos","primaryEmail":"carlos.torrez@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"projectManagers":[{"contactId":3251128,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Victor","lastName":"Marrero","fullName":"Victor Marrero","fullNameInverted":"Marrero, Victor","primaryEmail":"victor.j.marrero@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":461333,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Theresa","lastName":"Stanley","fullName":"Theresa M Stanley","fullNameInverted":"Stanley, Theresa M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"theresa.m.stanley@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"","libraryItems":[{"file":{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":292967,"fileName":"SBIR_2016_1_BC_H9.02-7669","fileSize":188482,"objectId":289484,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"184.1 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":292967,"fileName":"SBIR_2016_1_BC_H9.02-7669","fileSize":188482,"objectId":289484,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"184.1 KB"}],"id":289484,"title":"Briefing Chart","description":"Ka-Band Electronically Steered CubeSat Antenna, Phase I Briefing Chart","libraryItemTypeId":1222,"projectId":90569,"primary":false,"publishedDateString":"","contentType":{"lkuCodeId":1222,"code":"DOCUMENT","description":"Document","lkuCodeTypeId":341,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"LIBRARY_ITEM_TYPE","description":"Library Item Type"}}},{"caption":"Ka-Band Electronically Steered CubeSat Antenna, Phase I","file":{"fileExtension":"png","fileId":302533,"fileName":"SBIR_2016_1_BC_H9.02-7669","fileSize":186633,"objectId":299078,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"182.3 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"png","fileId":302533,"fileName":"SBIR_2016_1_BC_H9.02-7669","fileSize":186633,"objectId":299078,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"182.3 KB"}],"id":299078,"title":"Briefing Chart Image","description":"Ka-Band Electronically Steered CubeSat Antenna, Phase I","libraryItemTypeId":1095,"projectId":90569,"primary":true,"publishedDateString":"","contentType":{"lkuCodeId":1095,"code":"IMAGE","description":"Image","lkuCodeTypeId":341,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"LIBRARY_ITEM_TYPE","description":"Library Item Type"}}},{"caption":"Ka-Band Electronically Steered CubeSat Antenna, Phase I Project Image","file":{"fileExtension":"jpg","fileId":298738,"fileName":"SBIR_16_1_H9.02-7669","fileSize":72471,"objectId":295272,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"70.8 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"jpg","fileId":298738,"fileName":"SBIR_16_1_H9.02-7669","fileSize":72471,"objectId":295272,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"70.8 KB"}],"id":295272,"title":"Final Summary Chart Image","description":"Ka-Band Electronically Steered CubeSat Antenna, Phase I Project Image","libraryItemTypeId":1095,"projectId":90569,"primary":false,"publishedDateString":"","contentType":{"lkuCodeId":1095,"code":"IMAGE","description":"Image","lkuCodeTypeId":341,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"LIBRARY_ITEM_TYPE","description":"Library Item Type"}}}],"transitions":[{"transitionId":67816,"projectId":90569,"transitionDate":"2016-12-01","path":"Closed Out","closeoutDocuments":[{"title":"Final Summary Chart","file":{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":307182,"fileName":"SBIR_16_1_H9.02-7669","fileSize":112214,"objectId":67816,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":1841,"code":"TRANSITION_FILES","description":"Transition Files","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"fileSizeString":"109.6 KB"},"transitionId":67816,"fileId":307182}],"infoText":"Closed out","infoTextExtra":"","dateText":"December 2016"},{"transitionId":67817,"projectId":90569,"partner":"Other","transitionDate":"2017-06-01","path":"Advanced To","relatedProjectId":93586,"relatedProject":{"acronym":"","projectId":93586,"title":"Ka-Band Electronically Steered CubeSat Antenna","startTrl":4,"currentTrl":4,"endTrl":4,"benefits":"This Ka-band ASM is a small, lightweight antenna which provides moderate gain without the use of mechanical steering or power-hungry phase shifters. This technology provides a high data rate communications solution for small satellites which, when paired with sensors, would provide NASA with the ability to transfer high volumes of sensor data from LEO satellites directly to the Earth via the Near Earth Network. In addition, because the frequency range of this antenna supports communication with NASA's Tracking Data Relay Satellite (TDRS), it could allow transfer of data from LEO satellites to other satellites in LEO or GEO orbits as defined in the Space Network User Guide. This technology is generally not expected to form the basis of the primary science activity on a satellite, but its ability to support the transfer of large amounts of data for relatively little size, weight, power, and cost means that it has the ability to enhance or enable a variety of NASA programs, ranging from earth observation activities to science experiments.
This antenna is appropriate for a variety of applications that require high data rate communications but do not have the funding or the weight budget to allow a phased array antenna, including university CubeSat teams, commercial companies, and government entities. This antenna is an especially good fit for entities that have low weight and power requirements, as these are areas where it performs exceptionally well compared to traditional mechanically-steered antennas as well as phased-array antennas. A variety of space-based ventures or early demonstrations that are expected to require high data rate communications have been announced recently, including Earth observation projects where the satellite itself captures large amounts of data that needs to be transferred back to the ground quickly and efficiently for analysis, as well as communications projects where a satellite acts as a node in a larger communications system and needs to be in a position to receive and transmit large amounts of data for as much of its orbit as possible.","description":"Kymeta Government Solutions (KGS) designed, analyzed, built, tested, and delivered a small, lightweight, low-cost, low-power electronically steered Ka-band prototype antenna subsystem module (ASM) intended for use on 3U or larger CubeSats. This antenna uses a tunable dielectric material and an array of radiating elements to create an interference pattern that steers the beam in the desired direction. This method provides moderate gain without the use of mechanical steering and similar functional performance to a traditional phased array at a fraction of the size, weight, power, and cost (SWAP-C). The Ka band ASM is specifically designed to be a flexible component in the communications chain. All of the interfaces to the ASM are simple, non-proprietary interfaces, and the KGS ASM is agnostic to radio, waveform, and network selections. A receiver can be readily integrated with the ASM to enable closed loop tracking, and the simple command interface of the ASM provides the communication system with the ability to easily and rapidly refine the beam position to maximize gain and ultimately improve link margins and data throughput without incurring additional power draw or mechanical stability effects. Modifications to the aperture to better integrate, survive launch, and operate in space were designed during Phase I; during Phase II, KGS plans to update the control electronics and software that drive the antenna and then build and perform RF test on the overall system to verify compliance with requirements. To date, a low-SWAP Ka-band steerable antenna for small satellites has not been successfully demonstrated in space. At the conclusion of this Phase II contract, the KGS ASM will be ready to go to space qualification testing and then a demonstration launch, where KGS will have the opportunity to prove the ASM's capability in the target environment.","startYear":2017,"startMonth":6,"endYear":2018,"endMonth":10,"statusDescription":"Completed","website":"","program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"
The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
","programId":73,"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdId":4875,"stockImageFileId":36648,"title":"Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer"},"lastUpdated":"2024-1-10","releaseStatusString":"Released","viewCount":252,"endDateString":"Oct 2018","startDateString":"Jun 2017"},"infoText":"Advanced within the program","infoTextExtra":"Another project within the program (Ka-Band Electronically Steered CubeSat Antenna)","dateText":"June 2017"}],"primaryImage":{"file":{"fileExtension":"png","fileId":302533,"fileSizeString":"0 Byte"},"id":299078,"description":"Ka-Band Electronically Steered CubeSat Antenna, Phase I","projectId":90569,"publishedDateString":""},"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
","programId":73,"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdId":4875,"stockImageFileId":36648,"title":"Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer"},"leadOrganization":{"canUserEdit":false,"city":"Redmond","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"external":true,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":2747,"organizationName":"Kymeta Government Solutions","organizationType":"Industry","stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"WA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Washington","stateTerritoryId":11},"stateTerritoryId":11,"ein":"742518103 ","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"Industry"},"supportingOrganizations":[{"acronym":"GSFC","canUserEdit":false,"city":"Greenbelt","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4947,"organizationName":"Goddard Space Flight Center","organizationType":"NASA_Center","stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"MD","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Maryland","stateTerritoryId":3},"stateTerritoryId":3,"naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Center"}],"statesWithWork":[{"abbreviation":"MD","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Maryland","stateTerritoryId":3},{"abbreviation":"WA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Washington","stateTerritoryId":11}],"lastUpdated":"2024-1-10","releaseStatusString":"Released","viewCount":94,"endDateString":"Dec 2016","startDateString":"Jun 2016"}}