Orbit determination and control components > Non-Magnetic Deployable Antennas (Cu-Be)
Key highlights
The Apogeo Space Non-Magnetic Deployable Antennas are fully passive RF antennas that self-deploy on orbit without springs, motors or actuators. Manufactured from a hyper-elastic copper-beryllium alloy (C17200), they release reliably once on orbit while introducing no magnetic interference with the spacecraft attitude control systems, a key advantage for magnetically clean missions. The reduced mechanical complexity lowers mass and improves overall mission reliability, making them ideally suited to CubeSats and other demanding small-satellite platforms. Optimized for amateur-radio and IoT frequency bands, the antennas are fully customizable to mission-specific frequency and performance requirements, and can be equipped with an optional passive gravity-gradient balance mass for attitude stabilization. A PTFE surface coating enhances durability throughout ground handling and on-orbit operation.
Applications
- CubeSat missions requiring a compact, reliable RF antenna
- Amateur-band and IoT communication payloads in LEO
- Missions needing passive gravity-gradient stabilization
- Missions demanding low mass and minimal magnetic signature
- Custom RF links with mission-specific frequency requirements
Key features
- Flight heritage: TRL 9 - proven across previous missions
- Fully passive self-deployment: hyper-elastic alloy release, no springs or motors
- Magnetically clean: no magnetic interference with spacecraft attitude control
- Material: copper-beryllium alloy C17200
- Surface coating: PTFE for enhanced durability
- Mass (per antenna): up to 5.8 g
- Thickness: 0.15 mm
- Width: 6 or 12.7 mm
- Supported frequencies: 150 MHz / 169 MHz / 450 MHz configurations
- Peak gain: 1.7 dBi (150 & 169 MHz) / 1.9 dBi (450 MHz)
- VSWR (in band): 1.2 (150 & 169 MHz) / 1.5 (450 MHz)
- Return loss: −21 dB (150 & 169 MHz) / −15 dB (450 MHz)
- Nominal impedance: 50 Ω
- Max input power: 5 W
- Radiation pattern: omnidirectional, linear polarization
- Operating temperature: up to +130 °C
- Design lifetime: 5 years (LEO)
- Optional passive AOCS: gravity-gradient balance mass for attitude stabilization
- Fully customizable: tailored to mission frequency and performance requirements
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Last updated: 2026-08-03
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