University of Manitoba

Published purpose

The Arctic is rapidly exhibiting signs of global climate change. The transition from thick perennial sea ice to a seasonally ice-free Arctic Ocean has major consequences for sustainable development, transportation, and communities in Arctic regions. Knowledge of the physical and thermodynamic state of sea ice is therefore critically important in understanding how climate change is affecting the planet. This project will develop advanced deployable antennas that can be used in satellite remote sensing applications, with the goal of improving Canada’s capacity for monitoring the Arctic. The proposed antenna concepts have never been used in space applications and must be further developed for use on future missions. The designs are a technological leap since the concept allows one antenna to perform as if there were two antennas on the satellite and provides equivalent satellite imaging capability. This means that upcoming satellites will have lower mass and will be more compact, which are important considerations for launch and future mission costs. The project will provide training for highly qualified personnel (HQP) in antenna design for space applications, providing a hands-on experience to students in a space-related project, building, testing, and verifying antenna prototypes, advancing expertise on satellite antenna design at the University of Manitoba, and developing expertise in the design of a deployable Hybrid-Reflector-Array satellite antenna. Immediate potential applications from this project include MicroSat synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instruments. The main tangible outcome expected from this novel, stand-alone project is an advanced deployable SAR antenna. This investment will encourage potential commercial, research, and business opportunities, as the designs from this project will be communicated to the scientific and industrial communities.