L3Harris Technologies Introduces New Reflector Antenna Tailored For Smallsat Missions

L3Harris Technologies has introduced a new small satellite reflector antenna that will help decrease the size, weight and overall time to produce smallsats, the company announced on 9 March 2020.

Lighter and more compact than legacy designs, the new Smallsat Perimeter Truss (SPT) leverages L3Harris’ advanced Perimeter Truss design, while optimizing its mass to make the unit lighter and smaller to package onto small satellites. Offered in diameters up to four meters, and specifically designed for use on smallsat platforms, the Ka-band SPT is one-third the size and 50% the weight of previous designs. When stowed, the reflector is about the size of a commercial office fire extinguisher.

“Smallsats are playing a more important role in space and industry must continue to develop ways to make every satellite component smaller and lighter to keep pace with production and mission requirements,” said Ed Zoiss, President, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris. “We have done that with the new Smallsat Perimeter Truss – enabling L3Harris to package large high-gain antennas onto smaller satellite platforms.”

L3Harris showcased its latest reflector antenna at last week’s SATELLITE 2020 conference in Washington, DC.