RKS: Onboard antenna system for Skif satellites

2023: Development of an on-board antenna system for Skif satellites

Specialists of the Russian Space Systems Holding (RKS, part of the Roscosmos State Corporation) on October 24, 2023 announced the development of an on-board antenna system for promising satellites of the Skif series. This system guarantees stable broadband data transmission at speeds up to 420 megabits per second in hard-to-reach areas of Russia and in the future throughout the Earth.

The technology is based on the use of an on-board antenna of the AFAR type (active phased antenna array), which relays data to ground users. A key feature of this type of antenna is the "adaptive" directivity of beams that can form a coverage area of ​ ​ a given shape at any point on the surface of the Earth.

The main element of the antenna is a crystal chip (core-chip - control processor), which is responsible for the formation and direction of the beam. The antenna is completely unified, has modern characteristics, is built on the electronic components of the development of RKS according to the concept of an integrated on-board information system (IBIS), which speeds up its production, reduces cost and allows you to upgrade for different types of satellites. In the future, serial production of these AFARs can be deployed.

It is planned that the Skif satellite constellation will consist of 12 spacecraft in three orbital planes at an altitude of 8 thousand kilometers, ground control systems and subscriber equipment. The system is designed to provide high-speed Internet to hard-to-reach and remote areas of Russia, as well as ships on the Northern Sea Route.