Reflectarrays for LEO CubeSat telecommunication applications

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CubeSats and other derivatives of miniaturized satellites are revolutionizing the way in which scientific and telecommunication missions are being provided from space, due to their inherently lower launch and development costs. In geographically large countries such as Canada, space-based telecommunication systems can greatly assist in connecting people and devices. This is especially true in applications important to Canada, such as intelligent shipping, smart agriculture, connected transportation, and remote telematics, which need high-bandwidth links to the internet, but may involve operations in rural areas with poor terrestrial connectivity. Space-based communication networks, such as those being developed by Kepler Communications, can potentially be a game-changer in such scenarios. Nevertheless, the data intensity of many applications necessitates the use of high-throughput links to and from the satellites, which in turn create the need for high-gain antenna apertures on these platforms to support the higher signal-to-noise ratios required of higher data rates. This project and partnership aims to address this need by exploring the use of specialized "reflectarray antennas" for use as the main mission antenna in scenarios requiring large antenna apertures aboard CubeSats. As engineered electromagnetic surfaces designed to mimic curved reflector antennas using a flat surface, reflectarrays are attractive solutions to both antenna arrays and reflectors, owing to their low-profile, scalable nature, and efficiency in the satellite telecommunication bands. The goal of the partnership will be to combine academic and industrial expertise to yield a practical and viable deployable reflectarray antenna solution for future generations of commercial CubeSat missions. In particular, the project aims to raise the technology readiness level (TRL) of reflectarrays to levels permitting commercial exploitation by Kepler and other satellite manufacturers. Skills gained by highly qualified personnel in this project will prepare them for contributing to not only the high-tech sector, but also potentially space-based careers where they can help further contributions to human knowledge and technology in the final frontier.