A CubeSat (Short form of Cube Satellite) is a miniaturized
satellite (of the order of 10 cm3) intended for a number of
space research applications in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO). CubeSat are typically
launched by deployers from the International Space Center. The concept of
CubeSat was introduced to lower the cost associated with launches as it can be
launched as a secondary payload on the launch vehicle.
This project will focus on an innovative antenna design for
CubeSat which is expected to cover the entire frequency band for the
application and also provides near isotropic radiation pattern with decent gain
performance. In order to lower the cost as well as weight, additive
manufacturing techniques such as 3D and Inkjet printing will be employed. An
important aspect is to make this antenna transparent as it should not block the
light coming to the on board solar cells. So a transparent material will be
explored which can be compatible with the printing processes. It will also be
considered that the antenna design occupies minimum space on the CubeSat
surface. This project will enable student to first design an innovative antenna
in industry standard electromagnetic simulators, realize it through printing
techniques with the state of the art printers in KAUST and then test it in
latest anechoic chambers available in IMPACT Lab KAUST.