Reflector Antenna Development for Lunar Crater Radio Telescope

An ultra-long wavelength Lunar Crater Radio Telescope (LCRT) for observing early universe in 4.7-47 MHz range using a reflector antenna is under development at the NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The LCRT consists of a 350 m diameter reflector antenna and receiver to be deployed inside a crater on the far side of the moon. Once deployed, LCRT will be one of the largest filled telescopes in the Solar System alongside 305m Arecibo and 500m FAST telescopes. The telescope. This paper discusses the structural limitations and its implications on the RF performance inside the lunar crater.