Microwave behavior of nanostructured composite for low observable nanosatellites

Microwave absorbing and shielding material tiles are proposed for improving the stealthness capability of nanosatellites, by using composite materials consisting in polymeric matrix filled by carbon nanotubes. The electric permittivity of the composite nanostructured materials is measured and discussed, and the data allow the modeling algorithm to design the microwave absorbing and shielding faces of the cube satellite. The electromagnetic modeling takes into account for several incidence angles (0–80°), extended frequency band (2–18 GHz), and minimization of the electromagnetic reflection coefficient. The proposed structure is experimentally validated by comparing the electromagnetic simulation to the measurement of the manufactured radar absorber tile. Finally, a finite element method analysis of the electromagnetic scattering by cube stealth satellite is performed.