Multi-beam antenna system with shaped reflector for generating flat beams

A side-fed dual reflector antenna system of the present invention overcomes the size cost and complexity limitations associated with conventional single and multiple reflector antenna systems. The antenna system includes a feed array including separate feeds for generating separate respective antenna beams, a subreflector for reflecting the separate respective antenna beams generated by the separate feeds of the feed array, and a reflector having a shaped reflecting surface for reflecting the separate respective antenna beams received from the subreflector toward a terrestrial target to produce substantially contiguous flat beams, each of which provides substantially uniform coverage within a predetermined coverage area on the terrestrial target. The subreflector and each of the separate feeds in the feed array are arranged so that a center of each of the separate respective antenna beams illuminates a center of the reflector subsequent to being reflected from the subreflector.