The Mechanical Design of a Mesh Ka-band Parabolic Deployable Antenna (KaPDA) for CubeSats

A Ka-band high gain antenna would provide a 10,000 times increase in data communication rates over an X-band patch antenna and a 100 times increase over state-ofthe-art S-band parabolic antennas. Unfortunately, such a design does not exist as current CubeSat high gain antennas have focused on S-band. JPL has initiated a research and technology development effort to design a half-meter Ka-band parabolic deployable antenna (KaPDA) which would stow in 1.5U (10 cm x 10 cm x 15 cm) and provide 42dB of gain (50% efficiency). The KaPDA design must solve conflicting mechanical requirements on surface accuracy, stowed space, and ability to deploy. The development of a conceptual design that satisfies each requirement is discussed in this paper. The design uses folding ribs to fit in the stowage space, deep rib sections with precision hinges to maintain surface accuracy, and a combination of an innovative inflating bladder and springs to deploy the antenna. RF simulations show that after losses, KaPDA would have about 42 dB gain, at 50% efficiency. KaPDA would create opportunities for a host of new CubeSat missions by allowing high data rate communication which would enable using data intensive instruments or venturing further into deep space, including interplanetary missions.