The frequency pair and the left-hand circular polarization both follow deep space network convention rather than near-Earth practice, and the elevation-shaped pattern reflects where Earth actually sits during a communication window from a lunar surface asset. Concentrating coverage across 65 to 105 degrees elevation rather than spreading it from horizon to zenith is what makes a low-gain antenna useful at lunar distance. Bandwidth is 10 MHz at each of receive and transmit, VSWR holds below 1.5:1, and the interface is SMA female. The configuration was delivered into NASA's VIPER lunar rover programme. Qualification follows NASA GEVS Table 2.4-3 with 14.1 GRMS overall random vibration, minimum resonant frequency verification, and 0.25 g low-level sine sweeps before and after vibration. Thermal cycling is to mission requirements, typically -50 to -110 °C low and +50 to +90 °C high. Antenna pattern and S-parameter testing run from 1 to 40 GHz. HGA-X-001-LH is the matching high-gain antenna, normally flown alongside to carry data during a pointed pass.