## 1 Introduction  
Satellite technologies, particularly CubeSats, have advanced space exploration, enabling economical missions for communication, Earth observation, and scientific research. The satellites, with dimensions likely to be 10 \(\times\) 10 \(\times\) 10 cm\({}^{3}\) per unit, require lightweight, compact components with low power consumption to meet requirements such as strict size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints while sustaining solid performance in severe space conditions. Antennas, as vital components of any CubeSat communication system, serve as a key connection for transmitting data between the satellite and ground stationsor other satellites [1]. Nevertheless, ordinary antenna designs, such as reflectors with parabolic shapes and those that can be mechanically steered, may be frequently impractical for CubeSat systems because of their sophisticated, bulky constructions, and MTS-based antennas might be solutions [2; 3]. To have applicable space communication, antennas designed for CubeSat communications must fulfill the size and weight requirements for units up to 10 \(\times\) 10 \(\times\) 10 cm\({}^{3}\) (1U) [4].  
Apart from being lightweight and miniaturized, antennas designed for CubeSats should also be deployable and offer a higher gain while being packed sufficiently during both launch and in orbit. Various frequency bands were utilized for satellite communications based on the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and global satellite communication regulations, including Very High Frequency (VHF), Ultra High Frequency (UHF), the S band, and the X band [5]. The antenna used for space missions should either emit in all directions, which is crucial for low Earth orbit (LEO) missions, ensuring a stable connection regardless of alignment, or be directional, having a high gain to concentrate energy and boost communication reliability [6]. The antenna designed for CubeSat should have key factors, including polarization (circular polarization is preferred due to its robustness towards misalignment, unlike linear polarization, which works for exact positioning), high efficiency (to have an efficient onboard power), and acceptable bandwidth (BW) (to function efficiently and adequately for telemetry, commands, and data downlinks). In addition to these factors, they should also have low-power functionality (which is vital given CubeSats' limited energy reserves); they should exhibit environmental durability so they can endure space's extreme temperatures and radiation for sustained performance; their structure should be strong enough so they can resist launch-related vibrations and shocks; they should have multi-role capabilities, like multi-band systems, having the least interference so as not to have conflicts with other systems; and they should be cost-effective. Considering these requirements and factors, the following research and designed antennas were conducted and proposed for CubeSat and broader satellite communication applications. In addition to the aforementioned factors, CubeSat communication antennas should also possess beamsteering capabilities. Various antennas have been designed and employed for CubeSat communications, considering beamsteering, including planar-phased patch antennas [7], dielectric lenses and reflectors [8], leaky-wave antennas, reconfigurable antennas, and MTS antennas [9].  
The following subsections provide a comprehensive review of the current state of the art in CubeSat antenna design, highlighting various types and configurations, along with their respective advantages and limitations. By investigating these designs and their gaps, the contributions of our study are explained.