EADS CASA Espacio RX DRA: IRMA heritage in X band and ELSA development in KU band

The paper presents the existing products and on going development activities of in-orbit reconfigurable Multi-Beam antennas made by EADS CASA Espacio. The paper is focused on the IRMA (In-orbit Reconfigurable Multi-beam active array receive Antenna) X band Rx antenna, already on flight, with excellent performances and step forward activity on REDSAT innovative upgrade of the same concept of flexible payload in Ku band, on the ELSA (ELectronically Steeranle Antenna) Both are self-standing solutions which provide 4 simultaneous beams with full reconfiguration capability for each. The four beams provide full control in shape for each beam independently, frequency and power beam allocation, operational modes as beam hoping, allowing from pencil beams in any position of visible earth to shaped global beam. It also provides nulling capability in open loop operation.