Oxford Space Systems: Deployable Cassegrain Ka-band Space Antenna (DeCSA) Prototype
Lead Participant:
OXFORD SPACE SYSTEMS LIMITED
Abstract
Oxford Space Systems (OSS) is an awarding-winning early-stage technology business focused
on developing a new generation of deployable structures for the global space industry. The
diverse and experienced OSS team is rapidly establishing itself as an innovative & agile
supplier to the space sector.
Although an essential part of many geostationary telecomms satellites - and likely to form a
critical part of a large number of smaller low earth orbit (LEO) satellites - Europe currently
does not have a flight-proven Large Deployable reflector Antenna (LDA). The EU presently
relies upon the US for all LDAs. The European Space Agency (ESA) recently published a
Working Group report which concluded, “From the European industry point of view, there is
an absolute dependence on the USA”, and, “Large reflector technologies are considered a
fundamental requirement to maintain commercial and strategic competitiveness”. This was
further echoed in a document published this year, “Critical Space Technologies for European
Strategic Non-Dependence”, produced by the European Commission, ESA, and the European
Defence Agency.
LDAs fall into two families: Offset Feed and Cassegrain configurations. OSS has already
developed an innovative and highly scalable Offset Feed LDA to TRL3 that is significantly
lower in mass, cost and complexity than current offerings from the USA.
OSS has been approached by a USA based company to explore the development of a
Cassegrain LDA. This is for a proposed constellation of up to 35 LEO microsats scheduled
for launch in Q4 2018. Having profiled its outline concept to the potential customer, OSS are
confident that a significant export order can be secured if a prototype can be presented by mid-
2017. In addition, OSS has similar interest from both Eu and Canadian companies.
Securing matched funding via this SMART award will enable the rapid development of a UK
space technology that has excellent export potential to Europe, USA and beyond.
on developing a new generation of deployable structures for the global space industry. The
diverse and experienced OSS team is rapidly establishing itself as an innovative & agile
supplier to the space sector.
Although an essential part of many geostationary telecomms satellites - and likely to form a
critical part of a large number of smaller low earth orbit (LEO) satellites - Europe currently
does not have a flight-proven Large Deployable reflector Antenna (LDA). The EU presently
relies upon the US for all LDAs. The European Space Agency (ESA) recently published a
Working Group report which concluded, “From the European industry point of view, there is
an absolute dependence on the USA”, and, “Large reflector technologies are considered a
fundamental requirement to maintain commercial and strategic competitiveness”. This was
further echoed in a document published this year, “Critical Space Technologies for European
Strategic Non-Dependence”, produced by the European Commission, ESA, and the European
Defence Agency.
LDAs fall into two families: Offset Feed and Cassegrain configurations. OSS has already
developed an innovative and highly scalable Offset Feed LDA to TRL3 that is significantly
lower in mass, cost and complexity than current offerings from the USA.
OSS has been approached by a USA based company to explore the development of a
Cassegrain LDA. This is for a proposed constellation of up to 35 LEO microsats scheduled
for launch in Q4 2018. Having profiled its outline concept to the potential customer, OSS are
confident that a significant export order can be secured if a prototype can be presented by mid-
2017. In addition, OSS has similar interest from both Eu and Canadian companies.
Securing matched funding via this SMART award will enable the rapid development of a UK
space technology that has excellent export potential to Europe, USA and beyond.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| OXFORD SPACE SYSTEMS LIMITED | £309,449 | £ 139,252 |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Mike Lawton (Project Manager) |