Radiation Coupling Effects and Multipath Propagation between CONSERT Orbiter and Lander Unit onboard the Rosetta Spacecraft

Abstract

The aim of this thesis will be modelling of the Rosetta spacecraft, including its relevant parts within Consert Unit and Philae Lander. For realize this subject, Feko code has been used, which is based on Method of Moments to determine radiation coupling effects and secondary propagation paths. On the other hand, will be important to do an investigation about the radiation effects depending on the angular position of the solar panel and the High gain antenna orientation. The best results for the maximum gain and transmitted power, like it was expected, have been happened for an angular position of 90º for the solar panels, and this results change for the different HGA orientation. This is thus because the greater area that reflected the power which Consert Antenna transmits is for solar panels in 90º, there are 64 m2 of area reflecting. Finally , it can be said , that the results of gain, directivity and power received in Philae Lander monopoles are influenced by the angular position of the solar panels and the HGA orientation, but this results are more or less the same with or without the Lander onboard the spacecraft, what means that this one has not influence in our results.