High stability communications hardware for spacecraft

While the dimensional accuracies specified for existing high gain satellite antennas can be achieved through a combination of materials selection and design and fabrication techniques, antenna designs currently under development, including those intended for direct broadcast TV, require a further extension of these capabilities. Feed component sophistication will increase, and beam apertures more than 3 m in diameter will be necessary. In order to achieve the latter, folding petal and unfurlable mesh antenna configurations are under development. Existing and proven technologies are being incorporated into the design of the Large European Communications Satellite payload, which will offer TV broadcasting, 20/30 GHz telephony, and business-related data services.