Invention: This invention is related to Spherical Balloon Reflectors for Space Based Applications (UA15-195), a spherical cubesat reflector that provides a large aperture and high gain with very low mass and small stowed volume enabling 100 to 1,000x data rate improvement over an ultra-wide field of view (over 30 degrees). Electronic steering enables fast steering within the field of view without changing attitude. The design is highly scalable.
Background: Rather than using large, high power satellites from geosynchronous orbits, cubesat constellations enable low cost global coverage from low earth orbit. This invention provides a high data rate platform across a wide field of view that offers significant improvement in reliability and cost compared to parabolic antennas.
Applications:
Advantages: