The ultimate goal of the antenna we have developed is the exploration of lunar caves. To test the efficiency of our antenna, we conducted a measurement campaign in lava caves, analogous to those found on the moon, specifically in Lanzarote (Spain). For the measurement campaign, we invented a small portable rotary platform to measure the antenna’s behavior in all directions.

Our first stop was the Los Naturalistas cave. A young lava cave, about 300 years old, with walls and ceilings with little roughness. We conducted two sets of measurements in two different corridors, one with a bend and the other with a small slope.

Our second stop was the Jameo de la Gente. Our goal was to check the amplitude of the received signal both in the collapse and at the entrance of the cave, emulating the start of a possible exploration mission.

A final set of measurement was carried out inside the Corona tube. This tube is one of the longest on the Earth. That day we were accompanied by Erio Gandini from the European Space Agency.

We obtained very interesting results. You can find them here: «Antenna development for lunar robotic exploration.» 42nd ESA Antenna Workshop, 5. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.14217460.