Exapmple of Development

CASE STUDY

Antenna for an asteroid exploration rover

Request by our customer

Request for development of an antenna to be mounted on the asteroid rover “MINERVA-II”

Requirements

Background

The asteroid rover “MINERVA-II” loaded onto the explorer “Hayabusa 2” is a robot for probing and observing the asteroid “Ryugu.” We received a request for development of an antenna used for telecommunication between this “rover” and “Hayabusa 2.”
The antenna needs to be set at the narrow gap between solar panels covering the surface of the rover, and it is necessary to satisfy the conditions for usable frequency, directivity, etc. The antenna also needs to tolerate temperature changes, ultraviolet rays, and radioactivity in outer space, vibration and impact at the time of launch, etc.

Solutions

By selecting substrate materials that satisfy the environmental conditions and making the antenna as thin as possible, lowering its height, and reducing its weight, we succeeded in decreasing the vibration and impact at the time of launch, and making it possible to set the antenna between the solar panels.

Outcome

The coverage with a gain of -5dBi or more is obtained within ±90 deg or wider for the required frequency range and polarization.
The “rover” touched down on “Ryugu” safely, explored, and transmitted image data to the asteroid explorer “Hayabusa 2.”

Autonomous rover that would hop autonomously on the asteroid “Ryugu”

Inverted F antenna mounted on the (mock-up) rover

Comment from our engineer

Our antenna contributed to Japan’s endeavor to explore space. We will keep developing and releasing various antennas.