Submillimeter-Wave Phased Array for Titan Atmospheric Sounding Instrument

Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, is anorganically reach world with Earth-like geological conditionssuch as thick nitrogen atmosphere and stable liquid on itssurface. Unique to Titan is the surface-atmosphere interactionswhich transfer the complex organic molecules formed up in theatmosphere to the surface. These organic materials are thenmoved and shaped by wind and rain into dunes, lakes and seas.Understanding of this complex surface-atmosphere relation isthe need of the hour as it will facilitate future missions to thisunique world. In this work, we present a submillimeter-wavelimb sounder instrument concept that can directly measure thevertical profiles of temperature, winds, and trace gases inTitan’s atmosphere which will help to improve ourunderstanding of the complex atmospheric circulations on Titanas well as on other slow rotating planetary bodies. Here wepresent a demonstration of submillimeter-wave phased arrayantenna system for electronic beam steering that will enablesignificant reduction on size-weight-and-power requirements ofthe potential future missions.