L3Harris Technologies has introduced a small satellite (smallsat) reflector antenna to decrease the size, weight and overall time to produce smallsats.

Offered in diameters up to four meters, and specifically designed for use on smallsat platforms, the Ka-Band Smallsat Perimeter Truss (SPT) is one-third the size and 50 percent the weight of previous designs. When stowed, the reflector is about the size of a commercial office fire extinguisher.

Lighter and more compact than legacy designs, the SPT leverages L3Harris’ advanced Perimeter Truss design, optimizing its mass to make the unit lighter and smaller to package onto smallsats.

“Smallsats are playing a more important role in space, and industry must continue to develop ways to make every satellite component smaller and lighter to keep pace with production and mission requirements,” said Ed Zoiss, president of Space and Airborne Systems at L3Harris.

L3Harris is showing its reflector antennas at the Satellite 2000 conference (booth 601) at the Satellite 2020 conference, March 9 to 12 in Washington, D.C.