High power (80 kW) X-band Uplink for DS Missions - Development of critical waveguide components

To develop critical waveguide components required to transport high power in RF (80 kW) from the High Power Amplifier (HPA) to the feed system. Waveguide components shall operate over the full 7145 - 7235 MHz X-Band uplink band.

Present ESA Deep Space Stations are equipped with a 20 kW X-Band High Power Amplifier (HPA). Future missions will demand larger uplink power levels, for distant spacecraft or for critical phases like entry descending and landing or for emergency situations.Previous GSP activities concluded that the only viable way to increase the Uplink performances is providing the Deep Space Terminals with an 80 kW transmitter.Critical waveguide components have been identified in a previous TRP activity (ESA Contract 4000114941/15/D/EF) requiring dedicated development: power loads, waveguide switches, waveguide couplers and waveguide runs.This activity shall start with the consolidation of the requirements, followed by a preliminary and a detailed design phase. Prototypes shall be build and tested against requirements and results summarized in test reports.