Vensar Reflectarray Rf Modeling and Optimization for the Envision Mission

This paper describes the RF modeling and optimization of the reflectarray antenna for the Venus Synthetic Aperture Radar (VenSAR) instrument. VenSAR is a dualpolarized radar operating at S-band (3.2 GHz). The antenna will be employed to perform scientific studies of the surface of Venus. The reflectarray is illuminated by a feed, which is composed of two horns to generate dual polarization (horizontal and vertical). The reflectarray was optimized for beamwidth, side-lobe level, and directivity using the QUPES tool of TICRA. The RF model includes the impact of the spacecraft deck on which the reflectarray antenna is mounted. A performance comparison is made between the reflectarray operating in ideal conditions (no scattering) and the case when the top deck of the spacecraft is included in the analysis.