3D-Printed Satellite Antenna Is Just One Piece

With an eye toward building space-qualified radio-frequency (RF) components for Earth observation and science instruments, the European Space Agency (ESA) has 3D printed a satellite antenna designed as a single part. The antenna is now being tested in the agency's Compact Antenna Test Facility, located at ESA’s ESTEC technical center in the Netherlands.

 

A prototype 3D-printed antenna being put to work in the European Space Agency's Compact Antenna Test Facility, a shielded chamber for antenna and radio-frequency testing. (Source: European Space Agency)

Although further qualification would be required to make the antenna workable during actual space missions, the design team is interested more in what the consequences might be on RF performance of the low-cost 3D-printing process. "As a next step, we aim at more complex geometries and higher frequencies," said van der Vorst, an engineer in ESA's Electromagnetics & Space Environment Division.

 

(Source: European Space Agency)

The Compact Antenna Test Facility test range, a shielded chamber for antenna and radio-frequency testing, is isolated from outside electromagnetic radiation. To simulate space, its inside walls are covered with anechoic foam for absorbing radio signals. The range is part of ESA's suite of antenna testing facilities for smaller antennas and subsystems.

For several years, the agency has been involved in multiple 3D printing and additive manufacturing (AM) projects aimed at space. Previous work includes sponsoring R&D by Airbus Defence and Space for creating a 3D-printed metal spacecraft hinge. The titanium brackets for telecommunications satellites were made using EOS' DMLS (direct metal laser sintering) process.

The ESA also leads a program to design a large-scale 3D printer that will work in space making metal components. Called AMAZE, the European Commission project began in 2013 and is looking at different metals additive manufacturing processes to be evaluated at pilot factories.

\Ann R. Thryft is senior technical editor, materials & assembly, for Design News. She's been writing about manufacturing- and electronics-related technologies for 28 years, covering manufacturing materials & processes, alternative energy, and robotics. In the past, she's also written about machine vision and all kinds of communications.

About the author

Ann R. Thryft is senior technical editor, materials & assembly, for Design News. She's been writing about manufacturing- and electronics-related technologies for 28 years, covering manufacturing materials & processes, alternative energy, and robotics. In the past, she's also written about machine vision and all kinds of communications.

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