Wideband Antennas for Cubesat Platforms: Design and Multiphysics Analysis

The paradigm of new space economy is demanding for innovative, cost-effective solutions to enable future missions. To this aim, CubeSat platforms proved to play a key role. The communication sub-system is crucial for these nanosatellites, and the antenna is the core element. To push the forefront, the challenging field of CubeSat antennas design demands for innovative design methodologies, new materials and disruptive manufacturing approaches, such as additive manufacturing. Considering specific mission requirements, combined with the harsh space environment, a given antenna layout must effectively perform. To this aim, multiphysics simulations can help in discriminating between different design, while favoring the understanding of potential risky situations. This work deals with the presentation of methodologies for designing innovative antennas for CubeSat applications. In particular, a 3D-printed curved stacked patch antenna working in the S-band and a stacked patch antenna array working in the Ka-band will be presented. The electromagnetic performances of the antennas have been studied with a numerical multiphysics model considering the thermal and mechanical variations during a simulated CubeSat mission.