EOSOL completes design phase of (SUB)mmVAST antenna for European Space Agency
The European Space Agency (ESA) has formally declared the Critical Design Review (CDR) of the (sub)mmVAST antenna, carried out by EOSOL Aerospace as prime contractor, in collaboration with Radiometer Physics GmbH a Rohde & Schwarz Company, Space Structures GmbH and the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, formally closed.
Reference antenna for major measurement laboratories in Europe
The (sub)mmVAST is the reference antenna to be used by the main measurement laboratories in Europe for the characterization of their measurement configurations from 86 GHz to 1.2THz.
Knowledge of the measurement uncertainty will allow laboratories to quantify possible errors in the measurement process, which could affect the final results. In this way, they will be able to take corrective measures and increase the reliability of future tests, which are increasingly demanding in terms of alignment accuracy, repeatability, etc. This will be key to ensure, for example, the accurate characterization of antennas to be used in future earth observation or space exploration missions.
With dimensions of 900 x 250 x 400 mm and a mass of almost 50 kg, the designed (sub)mmVAST is characterized by its high mechanical and thermal stability. Its robustness means that its RF behavior remains stable in any antenna orientation, and thanks to the use of materials such as INVAR, its operation remains stable from room temperature to cryogenic temperatures down to 4 degrees Kelvin. The antenna is based on a dual-reflector Cross Dragone architecture, fed by a feed cluster of horns. The antenna also incorporates mirror cubes to facilitate its correct alignment in the measurement setup, and an adaptable support structure for different heads depending on the frequency channel used.
The project has entered its manufacturing phase, with some components manufactured in Germany and others in Spain. In the coming weeks, the different thermal and surface treatments of the antenna will be carried out, as well as its characterization by parts. The assembly of the complete antenna will be carried out at the EOSOL GROUP facilities in Mutilva, Navarra.
Finally, the antenna will be transferred to the ESA facilities in The Netherlands (ESTEC), where during several weeks the engineering team will participate in its characterization both at room temperature and in cryogenic conditions. The final delivery of the (sub)mmVAST antenna is scheduled for April 2023.