In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a housing for an antenna system having a plurality of antenna elements defining an antenna aperture includes a chassis portion having an internal support portion for internal components for the plurality of antenna elements including a bonding portion for bonding an antenna stack assembly to the chassis portion, and a radome portion configured for coupling to the chassis portion to define an inner chassis chamber.

Antenna elements are disclosed herein that include a metallic square ring patch and a metallic square ring slot to transmit or receive radio frequency (RF) signals. The disclosed antenna elements use several dielectric layers that are separated by two low-dielectric foam layers. The square ring patch is located above an upper foam layer, and a square ring slot is located between the upper foam layer and a bottom foam layer. Electrical feed lines are used to either supply electrical power to the antenna elements cells or output RF signals that are received by the square ring patch. The disclosed antenna elements may be arranged together in an antenna array that is tunable to collectively generate or receive RF signals.

An antenna reflector for reflecting a radio frequency (RF) signal and a method of assembling same are provided. The antenna reflector includes a first face, a second face, and a core, the first face including a reflective material for reflecting the RF signal, the first face mounted to the core and opposing the second face mounted to the core, the first face and the second face together providing a monocoque structure to the antenna reflector, the core having a honeycomb structure, including a plurality of cells disposed between the first face and the second face for separating the first face and the second face, and integral support ribs for stiffening the antenna reflector. The antenna reflector is shaped to reflect the RF signal. The antenna reflector includes mounting points for attachment to a spacecraft.