Low gain antenna performance impact due to spacecraft scattering

This paper presents impact of spacecraft scattering on the RF performance of low gain antennas used for communications satellites. The scattering analysis includes nadir deck structures, other spacecraft structures, large reflector used for high gain communication antennas, and solar panels. Impact of these spacecraft structures on both gain and cross-polar isolation of the low gain antennas is analyzed using ray-tracing analysis combined with physical optics (PO) integration of induced currents on these structures.