Reshapable Mesh Reflector Antenna

Mithril’s dynamically reshapable reflector uses an electrostatic actuation technique applied to a heritage deployable mesh reflector antenna design, making it far more agile and flexible for satellite communications and RF situational-awareness use cases in high orbits (GEO and beyond). The active reshaping capability is intended to enable a type of atmospheric radar instrument that does not currently exist — for example, allowing a single satellite antenna to evade a signal-jamming attack within seconds, or to monitor a hurricane’s approach to landfall with substantially greater accuracy than current fixed-reflector systems.

The company is currently developing a ‘Mark 2’ prototype in its Somerville lab, iterating on mechanical design and dish-shaping ahead of a planned on-orbit demonstrator mission. Target applications include resilient multi-orbit SATCOM, signal intelligence, and continuous atmospheric monitoring for weather forecasting and disaster resilience.