Evolution, Re-evolution, and Prototype of an X-Band Antenna for NASA's Space Technology 5 Mission

One of the challenges in engineering design is responding to a change of design requirements. Previously we presented a four-arm symmetric evolved antenna for NASA’s Space Technology 5 mission. However, the mission’s orbital vehicle was changed, putting it into a much lower earth orbit, changing the specifications for the mission. With minimal changes to our evolutionary system, mostly in the fitness function, we were able to evolve antennas for the new mission requirements and, within one month of this change, two new antennas were designed and prototyped. Both antennas were tested and both had acceptable performance compared with the new specifications. This rapid response shows that evolutionary design processes are able to accommodate new requirements quickly and with minimal human effort.