# CubeSat-Based Observations of Lunar Ice Water Using a 183 GHz Horn Antenna: Design and Optimization
## 6 Conclusions  
The development of compact and high-performance antennas is vital for space exploration, especially when scouting for potential secondary habitats for humans on extraterrestrial planets by usage of small satellites. Our research centers on the optimization of a corrugated horn antenna, using advanced spline curve fitting algorithms to morph it into a  
Figure 13: Smooth-walled horn antenna in remote sensing of moon’s water detection.  
smooth-walled design. The simulated smooth-walled antenna showcases improvements, including an 18 dB gain, \(S_{11}\) parameters ranging from \(-27\) dB to \(-36\) dB, and a VSWR range of 1.01 to 1.02, with narrow directivity in the frequency band of 160 GHz to 200 GHz. On the other hand, the corrugated horn antenna demonstrates limited performance, with a mere 1.4 dB gain, \(S_{11}\) parameters between \(-5\) dB to \(-35\) dB, and a VSWR range of 2.23 to 0.35, along with a wider directivity within the same frequency range. Our enhanced smooth-walled horn antenna offers a broader bandwidth, high directivity, and fewer side lobes, enabling efficient and precise detection of materials on extraterrestrial planets. Furthermore, we successfully manufactured and evaluated the functionality of the smooth-walled horn antenna. Utilizing appropriate facilities, we measured critical antenna parameters, including \(S_{11}\) and VSWR, and observed \(S_{11}\) values ranging between \(-26\) dB to \(-30\) dB and VSWR close to 1:1. These results validate the performance enhancements achieved through our proposed smooth-walled algorithm. Our research demonstrates the feasibility of cost-effective and efficient antenna designs for space laboratory applications. The smooth-walled horn antenna's excellent performance in transmitting and receiving signals within the desired frequency range of 160 GHz to 200 GHz reaffirms its potential for use in CubeSat missions and other space-based applications. The capability to transform corrugated horn antennas into smooth-walled designs, as showcased in this work, offers an accessible and economical approach to fabricate high-frequency antennas. This method holds tremendous value for university student projects and rapid prototyping, enabling researchers to test and iterate antenna designs without incurring substantial costs. Moreover, the smooth-walled horn antenna's ability to maintain impressive performance parameters, even after fabrication, highlights its potential for integration into space laboratory setups. As a result, our study lays a strong foundation for future advancements in antenna technology, enhancing space exploration endeavors and paving the way for innovative applications in extraterrestrial research.  
Conceptualization, V.R.; methodology, V.R. and W.H.; software, V.R. and W.H.; validation, W.H., W.S. and S.M.A.; formal analysis, V.R. and W.S.; investigation, V.R. and W.S.; resources, W.H.; data curation, V.R. and W.S.; writing--original draft preparation, V.R.; writing--review and editing, W.H., W.S. and S.M.A.; visualization, V.R.; supervision, W.H. and S.M.A.; project administration, W.H. and S.M.A.; funding acquisition, W.H. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. This research received no external funding. The authors declare no conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.