Phased-array antenna system for the MESSENGER deep space mission

MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) is the latest NASA Discovery mission managed by The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. MESSENGER is a mission to orbit the least explored terrestrial planet, Mercury. MESSENGER's high-data-rate downlink will use the first electronically scanned phased-array antenna for a deep-space telecommunication application. Measured results for the lightweight phased-array antenna and the high-efficiency solid state power amplifiers (SSPAs) are presented. Two functional amplifiers within the X-band SSPAs provide output power that is scalable from 11 to 15 watts without major design changes. Five different hybrid microcircuits, including high-efficiency HFET amplifiers and MMIC phase shifters have been developed for use within the SSPAs. A highly efficient packaging approach enables the integration of a large number of hybrid circuits into a SSPA with a mass less than 450 g. The hybrids and the hermetic package are generic and are suitable for a wide range of space applications beyond the MESSENGER program.