KEYNOTE: Recent Data Downlink Antenna Developments for Small Satellites with Focus on NewSpace and CubeSat Applications

This keynote presentation will provide an overview of commercially available data downlink antennas developed for small satellites, with particular focus on NewSpace and CubeSat applications. Various mission needs and associated solutions will be discussed, from very low data rate requirements to very demanding high-resolution microwave and optical instrument missions. The antenna products covered will include S-band TT&C antennas and X-band data downlink antennas, in line with existing ground segment infrastructures and related frequency regulations. Industrialisation aspects are key in developing competitive generic space antenna products. The evolution of the market will also be addressed with a discussion of on-going product developments for future space missions, including millimeter-wave solutions and reconfigurable antenna systems. These future products aim at introducing new functionalities such as beam steering, and very high antenna gain with very compact form factor in stowed configuration thanks to deployment mechanisms. The solutions presented are mostly relevant for Earth observation missions, although some may also find use cases in low Earth orbit satellite communication constellations, as well as deep space exploration missions.