CPI to Deliver Earth Station Antennas Supporting NASA’s SCaN Program

Communications & Power Industries’ Antenna Technologies division has received a $30 million-plus subcontract from Peraton to provide Earth station antennas for NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation program.

CPI will provide three gateway antenna systems for the SCaN Lunar Exploration Ground Sites projects. The antennas, measuring 20 meters in diameter each and operating in the X and Ka bands, will support dedicated communications for the Artemis exploration program and other lunar and cislunar missions by easing coverage demands on SCaN’s Deep Space Network.

Peraton awarded the subcontract under the Space Exploration Network Services and Evolution contract it received from NASA, CPI said Tuesday.

The CPI contract is one of several lunar and space exploration technology support deals NASA has with private companies.

In July, NASA partnered with 11 U.S. companies to develop technologies supporting long-term lunar and space exploration. The companies will develop a range of technologies, including 3D printing and lunar surface power systems.

In June, NASA selected four teams to move forward with the Watts on the Moon Challenge, where they were tasked to demonstrate their power supply and storage technologies in a simulated lunar environment. The challenge is part of NASA’s efforts to create power supply and storage technologies for lunar missions.