LAUSR

Small spacecraft in the CubeSat format has rapidly evolved from educational tools into fully functional satellites supporting a wide range of scientific and commercial missions. Antennas, as key components of the CubeSat communication subsystem, must be designed under strict constraints regarding size, mass, and power consumption. This review article presents a frequency-oriented classification of antennas developed and studied for CubeSat platforms over the past decade, covering frequency ranges from very high frequency (VHF) to millimeter waves. The operating frequency is considered the primary factor that determines the antenna’s geometry, radiation characteristics, and suitability for mission objectives. The review focuses exclusively on experimentally realized and partially tested antenna designs, excluding projects that exist only as simulations or theoretical concepts. For each frequency band, typical antenna solutions, deployment mechanisms, and integration methods are examined in light of mission requirements and CubeSat form-factor constraints. In addition, a bibliometric analysis is provided to highlight trends in scientific publications and technological developments across the frequency spectrum. The classification proposed in this review serves as a practical guide and assistance in evaluating existing solutions for researchers, developers, and engineers in selecting and designing antennas for CubeSat missions.