Magnetometer Boom blockage effects on performance of reflector antenna of Europa habitability mission

The objective of this study is to provide a parametric analysis of the effects of the Magnetometer Boom of the Europa spacecraft on the performance of the 0.8m-diameter High Gain Antenna (HGA) at 8- and 32-GHz frequencies with circular polarization, used for gravity studies. Specifically of interest, are the changes in the phase of the main beam region of the antenna patterns. For the purpose of this study, the antenna and Boom parameters (dimensions and distances) are approximated. EM Analysis is performed using the GRASP software. Only first order strut effects are included. Input data files for GRASP for parametric study of the antenna and Boom in various representative positions are obtained using a MATLAB program. A number of antenna gain amplitude and phase plots have been obtained and compared with no-struts interference case. Worst case scenarios are identified and presented.