This paper presents the design, realization and measurement of a thin lightweight absorbing material for space applications. Absorber design is based on high impedance surfaces loaded with resistors and known as a resistive high impedance surface (RHIS). The behavior of RHIS is analyzed at normal and oblique incidences for TE and TM polarizations. Prototypes have been realized and measured. Final design has a reflection coefficient less than − 15 dB in S-Band (2-2.3 GHz) at normal incidence and till an angular dispersion of 40 ∘ for waves in TE polarization, and 35 ∘ for waves in TM polarization. Simulation results are validated by measurement.