R&D 100 Awards Point to Revolutionary NASA Antenna Concept

The thin-film ferroelectric High-Resolution Scanning Reglectarray Antenna is pictured above.

A revolutionary antenna concept developed at NASA’s Glenn Research Center enables electronically steerable, high data-rate communications for NASA missions and non-NASA commercial communications applications. The technology’s innovation has been recognized with a prestigious R&D 100 Award.

The thin-film ferroelectric High-Resolution Scanning Reflectarray Antenna (HRSRA) is lighter and has a conformal design that is easier to build and transport into space than conventional technology (e.g., MMIC-direct phased array antennas and gimbaled antennas). In addition, HRSRA’s electronic beam steering capability directs the signal in a specific direction without physical motion, therefore causing no resolution-compromising vibrations—highly beneficial to the sensitive instruments onboard a spacecraft.

The use of the HRSRA for fine beam pointing is vital for future exploration missions to Mars and beyond where precise, efficient communication is necessary. The technology has broader application as well, including consumer applications such as Direct Satellite Service (DSS) communications to homes, vehicles, boats, aircraft and any other terrestrial platform benefiting from a low-profile, aesthetically pleasing antenna.

These improvements over previous antenna technologies as well as broad applicability have been further validated with the nod from R&D Magazine and the R&D 100 Awards. Considered the “Oscars of Innovation,” the awards have identified revolutionary technologies newly introduced to the market since 1963. The technology and Glenn Research Center will be recognized at an award ceremony in November.

For more information, contact: Fuentek, LLC (919) 249-0327, nasa.grc@fuentek.com

–By Nannette Stangle-Castor, Ph.D.