British Companies To Launch a Knitted Satellite With State-of-the-Art Deployable Antenna

Out of all the inventions made by man in the past centuries, satellites seem to be one of the most useful devices that have helped us in many ways. Developed to monitor human activities on Earth, satellites have proven their importance in communication, astronomy, and even surveillance.

A type of satellite that has never been launched before is set to be developed by British companies to monitor the Earth around the clock.

Launching a Ground-Breaking Invention

With its good reputation for aerospace manufacturing, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) commits to developing an innovative, low-cost radar satellite that will be partly developed on a knitting machine. In collaboration with Oxford Space Systems (OSS), SSTL will begin to develop the spacecraft in 2023, which is scheduled for launch in 2024.

Known as CarbSar, the knitted satellite features a deployable Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) antenna. It features tungsten wire mesh folded tightly for launch, which can spring out to form a large umbrella-like structure. The mesh is then attached to carbon-composite rods that wind radially against a central hub. Once released, the strain energy in the rods will automatically jump back into the straightened configuration, allowing the mesh to be pulled into position.

Its wrapped rib design with radar technology will allow it to see through the cloud and function well at night. Using a 3-meter-wide antenna/reflector, CarbSar will capture images from the ground with high precision. The manufacturers are optimistic that the knitted satellite has the potential to fill the gap in the country's spying ability.

SSTL is assigned to develop the device's bulk, including the internal systems that drive it and the electronic parts that make the radar work. On the other hand, OSS will be the provider of the antenna/reflector prototype, which is currently being assessed at its headquarters in Harwell.

According to Space Daily, the British companies hope to be considered as a future supplier of operational spacecraft to the UK government for civil and military purposes. For many years, the UK has expressed its desire to have a network of radar satellites, and the Ministry of Defence is committed to supporting them financially.

Aside from military operations, the satellite will also be very useful in civil emergencies such as flood monitoring and locating landslips. CarbSar promises a good-quality image since weather activities do not obstruct its vision. The developers plan to use the CarbSar technology to allow bigger structures to fit inside rockets.

Practical Uses of Satellites

Satellites are intentionally launched into space to do specific jobs. Inspired by natural satellites such as the moon, artificial satellites are developed to help us better understand our planet and the universe.

Communication satellites serve as the medium of communication by sending signals in a wide range of locations. Astronomy satellites give scientists an unobstructed view of space without the Earth's atmosphere interference. Satellite-based navigation systems provide a way of locating a person using the Global Positioning System. There are also surveillance or spy satellites that can detect activities covered by camouflage. On the other hand, reconnaissance satellites are developed to spy on other countries and provide intelligence information on their military activities.