Raab et al. (2025) A Low-Cost Small Satellite Space Radar System

Identification

• Journal: Nature
• Year: 2025
• Date: 2025-09-08
• Authors: B. Raab, R. O. Bartlett
• DOI: 10.26077/91am-w566

Research Groups

• Malibu Research
• Fairchild Space

Short Summary

This paper presents the design of a low-cost, small satellite space radar system enabled by FLAPS™ antenna technology, capable of all-weather surveillance for applications such as detecting small ships and aircraft. The system offers a lightweight, foldable, and cost-effective alternative to traditional phased array radar systems for small satellite platforms.

Objective

• To describe the design and integration of a low-cost, small satellite space radar system utilizing FLAPS™ antenna technology for all-weather surveillance applications, including the detection of small ships and aircraft.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Earth orbit (space-based radar system design for global/regional surveillance).
• Temporal Scale: Continuous (system designed for all-weather, persistent surveillance capability).

Methodology and Data

• Models used: System design and engineering description.
• Data sources: N/A (system design paper, not based on external data analysis).

Main Results

• A design for a lightweight surveillance satellite radar system is presented, leveraging the novel FLAPS™ ("Flat Parabolic Surface") antenna technology.
• The FLAPS™ antenna offers many features of a phased array antenna at a significantly reduced cost and mass.
• The antenna is designed to be foldable or rollable, enhancing its ability to fit within the limited volume of small launch vehicles (e.g., Pegasus booster).
• The satellite design incorporates a fiber-optic data bus, an on-board processor, and a solid-state recorder.
• The proposed system is capable of detecting small ships and aircraft, suitable for drug-interdiction missions and other all-weather surveillance applications.

Contributions

• Introduction of the FLAPS™ antenna technology as a novel, cost-effective, and mass-efficient alternative to traditional phased array antennas for small satellite radar systems.
• Presentation of a viable design for a small, low-cost space-based radar system capable of all-weather surveillance, addressing the limitations of larger, more expensive systems.
• Demonstration of practical approaches for packaging and deploying a large radar antenna within the volume constraints of small launch vehicles.

Funding

• Not specified in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Raab2025LowCost,
  author = {Raab, B. and Bartlett, R. O.},
  title = {A Low-Cost Small Satellite Space Radar System},
  journal = {Nature},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.26077/91am-w566},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.26077/91am-w566}
}