The SKYNET 4 spacecraft antenna farm

The author describes the form, assembly, test, and operation of the SKYNET 4 antenna farm. Particular attention is given to the antenna and antenna farm alignment, environmental testing, and radiation performance measurements. It is demonstrated that the farm is of elegant design with emphasis being given to simplicity of form and reliability of operation. The design is not, however, simplistic. Much effort has gone into incorporating good engineering principles to ensure that not only is the design fully environmentally compatible but that it possesses ease of manufacture, assembly, and test. The SKYNET 4 antenna farm shows how a viable multirole payload can be incorporated on a bus where space is at a premium.<>