Antennas are an essential component of a satellite, without an antenna a satellite would lack practical value. Satellites are launched to space for certain missions, whether it is communication, Earth Observation, or any other function, the mission requires data to be transmitted back to Earth. The antenna is the component responsible for transmitting and receiving signals to and from Earth. They can transmit signals in two different ways, passive and active. Passive signals are directed to specific locations, while active signals are transmitted in arrays to cover more ground. The component can be seen as one of the most important parts of a satellite, as it is responsible for relaying data back to Earth. mu Space Corp, a satellite manufacturer is developing its antenna which will be a part of the company’s satellite, the mu-B200.
Antennas transmit signals in frequencies, however, there are many different types of spectrums, including S-Band, X-Band, C-Band, and Ka-Band, among others. These frequencies are transmitted by antennas to link communication between the satellite and Earth. As mentioned above, signals can be transmitted directly to one area or they can be sent in an array of signals to cover more ground. An antenna that transmits a High Gain signal will be able to emit a stronger signal, therefore it is a factor that allows data and information to be transmitted at a faster speed. On top of that, high gain antennas are also able to reduce interference, this is due to their ability to precisely transmit signals to a certain target. Having a high gain antenna allows satellites to relay information at a high data rate, thus enhancing their performance.
As mentioned above, mu Space Corp is developing its own high-gain antenna which will be a component of the mu-B200, the company’s own satellite project. The component will send and receive S-Band high gain frequencies with circular polarization for more effective signal reception and due to being placed on a small sat, it will be compact. The size and lightweight of the antenna will allow the satellite to minimize its weight, therefore having logistical advantages as well. Additionally, it will function in a full-duplex, allowing simultaneous data transmission, therefore both the transmitter and receiver can send signals at the same time. The mu-B200 is a multi-purpose satellite that can function for various missions, and is priced at $4 Million with deliveries made within 12 months of the purchase date.
