Investigation of Antenna Radomes in Low Earth Orbits
(2023) KASM10 20231Centre for Analysis and Synthesis
- Abstract
- Introduction: This master’s thesis focuses on exploring improved alternative material solutions for antenna radomes used to protect Beyond Gravity Sweden’s satellite antennas in low Earth orbits.
Background: As the environment in low Earth orbit is harsh, surface materials on satellites experience high levels of atomic oxygen, ultra violet radiation, thermal-fluctuation, charged particles and micro meteoroids. Therefore, finding materials that can resist these harsh conditions while maintaining radio wave transparency for efficient communication and transfer of data is a complex challenge. Beyond Gravity’s current satellite antenna radome is coated with a surface paint that has proven to be sensitive to mechanical touch, have long... (More) - Introduction: This master’s thesis focuses on exploring improved alternative material solutions for antenna radomes used to protect Beyond Gravity Sweden’s satellite antennas in low Earth orbits.
Background: As the environment in low Earth orbit is harsh, surface materials on satellites experience high levels of atomic oxygen, ultra violet radiation, thermal-fluctuation, charged particles and micro meteoroids. Therefore, finding materials that can resist these harsh conditions while maintaining radio wave transparency for efficient communication and transfer of data is a complex challenge. Beyond Gravity’s current satellite antenna radome is coated with a surface paint that has proven to be sensitive to mechanical touch, have long curing times, and expensive repairing procedures.
Aim(s): As a result of the expensive and vulnerable surface paint, my aim is to identify a cheaper, more efficient, and better material or coating to replace the current radome and/or coating.
Methods: To find alternative solutions I have researched radio wave transparent composite materials as well as thin metal-oxide films used in space and low Earth orbits, I have contacted space coating paint suppliers around Europe, and spoken with materials-experts at Beyond Gravity and Swedish universities.
Results: The results proved that the European space coating manufacturer Enbio could provide Beyond Gravity with a new paint coating that has the potential of meeting all Beyond Gravity’s antenna radome requirements, while being more efficient and less costly than Beyond Gravity’s current solution. The results along with the discussion also showcase the future work and testing that needs to be conducted before determining the coatings applicability to Beyond Gravity’s antenna radomes.
Conclusion: In conclusion, Enbio’s paint coating is less costly, more efficient and potentially better than Beyond Gravity’s current surface paint coating. However, future testing and qualification is required to determine if Enbio’s coatings meet up to Beyond Gravity’s antenna radome requirements. (Less) - Popular Abstract
- In this master’s thesis project I have taken on the difficult challenge of finding, and improving Beyond Gravity’s satellite antenna radome materials used in space. After researching all types of materials used on rockets, satellites, moon-landers, and space stations, I found a material coating that has the potential of upgrading the satellites’ antenna radomes. Space flight is not just complicated equations, formulas, and physics but also strikingly expensive. Lifting heavy, big structures of the Earth into space require powerful rocket boosters, and even the tiniest gram is considered. Therefore, extensive testing and verification are required before new spacecraft materials are ready for launch. The coating has previously proven to be... (More)
- In this master’s thesis project I have taken on the difficult challenge of finding, and improving Beyond Gravity’s satellite antenna radome materials used in space. After researching all types of materials used on rockets, satellites, moon-landers, and space stations, I found a material coating that has the potential of upgrading the satellites’ antenna radomes. Space flight is not just complicated equations, formulas, and physics but also strikingly expensive. Lifting heavy, big structures of the Earth into space require powerful rocket boosters, and even the tiniest gram is considered. Therefore, extensive testing and verification are required before new spacecraft materials are ready for launch. The coating has previously proven to be efficient in a space mission to the Sun, and it holds the potential to save the company valuable time and money, all while protecting the satellite equipment from the harsh environment of space. However, the material needs to undergo further testing before it’s ready for lift- off.
In space, everything is out to get you - from the tiniest of particles to the most daunting of Black Holes. In low Earth orbits, the tiny particles are the worst, especially the highly reactive atomic oxygen that eats away at surfaces and destroys vital equipment. As satellite and antennas rely on radio waves for communication, the materials and coatings used to encapsulate and shield these antennas must allow radio waves to pass through. The challenge lies in identifying materials that allows the satellites to communicate while safeguarding against freezing temperaturs, scorching heat, sun-burning UV beams, space rocks faster than a bullet, and nasty particles such as atomic oxygen. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9119758
- author
- Gren, Mathias Manohar LU
- supervisor
-
- Martin Ek LU
- organization
- course
- KASM10 20231
- year
- 2023
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Materials, Science, Space, Satellites, Antenna Radomes, Beyond Gravity, Coatings, Physics, Chemistry, Low Earth Orbits, Engineering, Lunds University, Materials Chemistry
- language
- English
- id
- 9119758
- date added to LUP
- 2023-06-08 11:37:47
- date last changed
- 2023-06-08 11:37:47
@misc{9119758,
abstract = {{Introduction: This master’s thesis focuses on exploring improved alternative material solutions for antenna radomes used to protect Beyond Gravity Sweden’s satellite antennas in low Earth orbits.
Background: As the environment in low Earth orbit is harsh, surface materials on satellites experience high levels of atomic oxygen, ultra violet radiation, thermal-fluctuation, charged particles and micro meteoroids. Therefore, finding materials that can resist these harsh conditions while maintaining radio wave transparency for efficient communication and transfer of data is a complex challenge. Beyond Gravity’s current satellite antenna radome is coated with a surface paint that has proven to be sensitive to mechanical touch, have long curing times, and expensive repairing procedures.
Aim(s): As a result of the expensive and vulnerable surface paint, my aim is to identify a cheaper, more efficient, and better material or coating to replace the current radome and/or coating.
Methods: To find alternative solutions I have researched radio wave transparent composite materials as well as thin metal-oxide films used in space and low Earth orbits, I have contacted space coating paint suppliers around Europe, and spoken with materials-experts at Beyond Gravity and Swedish universities.
Results: The results proved that the European space coating manufacturer Enbio could provide Beyond Gravity with a new paint coating that has the potential of meeting all Beyond Gravity’s antenna radome requirements, while being more efficient and less costly than Beyond Gravity’s current solution. The results along with the discussion also showcase the future work and testing that needs to be conducted before determining the coatings applicability to Beyond Gravity’s antenna radomes.
Conclusion: In conclusion, Enbio’s paint coating is less costly, more efficient and potentially better than Beyond Gravity’s current surface paint coating. However, future testing and qualification is required to determine if Enbio’s coatings meet up to Beyond Gravity’s antenna radome requirements.}},
author = {{Gren, Mathias Manohar}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Investigation of Antenna Radomes in Low Earth Orbits}},
year = {{2023}},
}