Using the Physical Structure of a Passive Aerodynamic Attitude-Stabilization System as a Multi-Frequency Antenna on Nano-Satellites

The feasibility of using the physical structure of a passive aerodynamic attitude-stabilization system on a nano-satellite as a multi-frequency antenna is shown. Four metallic strips that deploy from the rear of the satellite provide drag torques that stabilize pitch and yaw. These metallic strips are simultaneously used as an antenna for radio communication. The antenna uses physical band-stop filters on the metallic strips to allow the antenna to resonate at different frequencies. An impedance-matching network provides a 50 ohm match to a single coaxial connector. Full-wave electromagnetic analyses of the complete antenna structure on a three-unit CubeSat are presented, together with measured results.