Antenna Element Study for a Future SMOS Mission

This paper summarizes the initial phase of the study of the antenna element for a future SMOS radiometer mission. The paper shows the antenna main requirements, the potential antenna candidates and the main design constraints that drive the initial selection of the antenna candidate. A major difference with respect to the antenna element of the current SMOS mission is that the new element should respect the alias free spacing. An overview of the main preliminary antenna performances of the selected candidate is shown.