Prediction of the pattern performance for the aeroassist flight experiment spacecraft

In order to provide a set of benchmark flight data that could be used to validate computational fluid dynamics analysis and allow optimum engineering design of space vehicles, NASA has undertaken the aeroassist flight experiment (AFE). An investigation of the spacecraft antennas for AFE is being conducted that will provide estimates for signal transmissions from AFE to the tracking and data relay satellites (TDRS) during the aeropass data period. A comparison of the free-space pattern calculations with experimental test results using a 0.40-scale model of the AFE spacecraft are presented. The measured and calculated radiation patterns of the antenna mounted on the spacecraft are shown for a frequency of 5.6 GHz. Excellent agreement is found for H-plane patterns and reasonable agreement for the E-plane patterns.<>