Double-reflector antenna and related antenna system for use on board low-earth-orbit satellites for high-throughput data downlink and/or for telemetry, tracking and command

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a double-reflector antenna () for use on board a satellite or space platform for data downlink or for telemetry, tracking and command. Said double-reflector antenna () comprises a main reflector () and a sub-reflector () arranged coaxially with, and in front of, one another. Additionally, the double-reflector antenna () further comprises a coaxial feeder, that is arranged coaxially with the main reflector () and the sub-reflector (), and that includes inner () and outer () conductors arranged coaxially with, and spaced apart from, one another. The coaxial feeder is designed to be fed with downlink microwave signals to be transmitted by the double-reflector antenna (), and to radiate said downlink microwave signals through a feed aperture (), that is located centrally with respect to the main reflector () and that gives onto the sub-reflector (). The inner conductor () protrudes axially and outwardly from the feed aperture () up to the sub-reflector () and is rigidly coupled to said sub-reflector () thereby supporting said sub-reflector ().