Development of space qualifiable HTS communication subsystems

The paper presents the measured results of a C-band 60-channel superconductive input multiplexer integrated with pulse tube space-qualified cryocoolers. The multiplexer is developed to duplicate the requirements of the INTELSAT 8 program. The channel filters are self-equalized 10-pole HTS planar structures designed with drop-in cryogenic ferrite circulators and isolators. The paper presents details on RF design, packaging and cryocooler integration. It demonstrates that at least 50% reduction in mass and 50% reduction in size can be achieved by replacing the INTELSAT 8 C-band dielectric resonator input multiplexer with a superconductive multiplexer.