STUDY, FABRICATION, AND TESTING OF PASSIVE SATELLITE MODELS, GRID-SPHERE TYPE.

Enhanced backscattering of a wire-grid sphere over that of an equivalent metal sphere in passive communication satellites was discovered in 1960. The purpose of this report is to investigate theoretically and empirically grid spheres, and, if possible, to develop a design formula, and construct an inflatable model for future feasibility tests. The approximate vector potential solution for thin dielectric shells modified for a complex dielectric constant served as theoretical approach. The empirical investigation covered impedance measurements of flat grid panels, and backscattering tests of a 20 inch and an inflatable 14 ft. grid-sphere. The tests confirmed enhanced reflectivity, but did not fully agree with the theory.