Publisher:Pasadena, CA: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2017
Citation:AMTA 2017-38th Antenna Measurement Techniques Association Symposium, Atlanta, Georgia, October 15-20, 2017
Abstract:
A new methodology is described for performing near-free space far-field radiation pattern measurements of high frequency (HF) antennas utilizing small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) and helium-filled aerostat balloons for the radar antennas onboard NASA’s planned Europa Clipper mission to Jupiter’s moon Europa. Adapted from land-based measurements, this test methodology involves hoisting the antenna to be tested above the earth to minimize ground interactions while flying a sUAS with onboard measurement package to map the far field radiation pattern. Initial results producing radiation pattern maps are promising with work remaining to fully adapt fixed VHF measurements to the dynamic HF antenna test setup.