Radial Line Slot Array Antenna High Power Thermal Vacuum Testing

A Radial Line Slot Array (RLSA) High Gain Antenna will be used on NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission for its primary science downlink. Thermal balance tests were performed in Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) on a Qualification Model (QM) to verify the electrical, structural, and thermal performance. Four cases of varying temperatures and RF power levels were considered. Return loss measurements were used to monitor any changes in real-time.