New satellite antenna counters jamming while using 95% less power

Key Points:

• The Pentagon is exploring new technologies to protect military satellite communications from electronic attacks, with MIT Lincoln Laboratory developing a lightweight, power-efficient antenna system called HoNi BAJR for low-Earth orbit satellite constellations.
• The HoNi BAJR uses a scanning reflectarray design that reduces power consumption by approximately 95% compared to traditional phased-array antennas, making it suitable for compact satellites in proliferated low-Earth orbit (pLEO).
• The antenna enhances anti-jamming capabilities by shaping and steering beams to suppress interference across wider regions, although early testing revealed challenges with signal stability and side-lobe control.
• Calibration remains a significant technical challenge, as precise measurement and compensation for signal distortions are crucial to improving beam steering and interference suppression performance.
• Researchers are continuing to refine the technology, focusing on calibration improvements, beamforming techniques, and identifying optimal operational scenarios within future military satellite networks.