DEEP SPACE COMMUNICATIONS A COLLECTION OF SOME OF THE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY’S SPACE MISSIONS SELECTED TO REPRESENT THE PLANETARY COMMUNICATIONS DESIGNS FOR A PROGRESSION OF VARIOUS TYPES OF MISSIONS The text uses a case study approach to show the communications link performance resulting from the planetary communications design developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). This is accomplished through the description of the design and performance of six representative planetary missions. These six cases illustrate progression through time of the communications system’s capabilities and performance from 1970s technology to the most recent missions. The six missions discussed in this book span the Voyager for fly-bys in the 1970s, Galileo for orbiters in the 1980s, Deep Space 1 for the 1990s, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) for planetary orbiters, Mars Exploration Rover (MER) for planetary rovers in the 2000s, and the MSL rover in the 2010s. Deep Space Communications: Provides an overview of the Deep Space Network and its capabilities Examines case studies to illustrate the progression of system design and performance from mission to mission and provides a broad overview of the mission systems described Discusses actual flight mission telecommunications performance of each system Deep Space Communications serves as a reference for scientists and engineers interested in communications systems for deep-space telecommunications link analysis and design control.

An important historical look at the space program's evolvingtelecommunications systems Large Antennas of the Deep Space Network traces the development ofthe antennas of NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) from the network'sinception in 1958 to the present. It details the evolution of thelarge parabolic dish antennas, from the initial 26-m operation atL-band (960 MHz) through the current Ka-band (32 GHz) systems.Primarily used for telecommunications, these antennas also supportradar and radio astronomy observations in the exploration of thesolar system and the universe. In addition, the author also offersthorough treatment of the analytical and measurement techniquesused in design and performance assessment. Large Antennas of the Deep Space Network represents a vitaladdition to the literature in that it includes NASA-funded researchthat significantly impacts on deep space telecommunications. Partof the prestigious JPL Deep Space Communications and NavigationSeries, it captures fundamental principles and practices developedduring decades of deep space exploration, providing informationthat will enable antenna professionals to replicate radiofrequencies and optics designs. Designed as an introduction for students in the field as well as areference for advanced practitioners, the text assumes a basicfamiliarity with engineering and mathematical concepts andtechnical terms. The Deep Space Communications and Navigation Series is authored byscientists and engineers with extensive experience in astronautics,communications, and related fields. It lays the foundation forinnovation in the areas of deep space navigation and communicationsby disseminating state-of-the-art knowledge in key technologies.

A quarter century of research into deep space and near Earth optical communications This book captures a quarter century of research and development in deep space optical communications from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Additionally, it presents findings from other optical communications research groups from around the world for a full perspective. Readers are brought up to date with the latest developments in optical communications technology, as well as the state of the art in component and subsystem technologies, fundamental limitations, and approaches to develop and fully exploit new technologies. The book explores the unique requirements and technologies for deep space optical communications, including: * Technology overview; link and system design drivers * Atmospheric transmission, propagation, and reception issues * Flight and ground terminal architecture and subsystems * Future prospects and applications, including navigational tracking and light science This is the first book to specifically address deep space optical communications. With an increasing demand for data from planetary spacecraft and other sources, it is essential reading for all optical communications, telecommunications, and system engineers, as well as technical managers in the aerospace industry. It is also recommended for graduate students interested in deep space communications.

The challenge of communication in planetary exploration has been unusual. The guidance and control of spacecraft depend on reliable communication. Scientific data returned to earth are irreplaceable, or replaceable only at the cost of another mission. In deep space, communications propagation is good, relative to terrestrial communications, and there is an opportunity to press toward the mathematical limit of microwave communication. Yet the limits must be approached warily, with reliability as well as channel capacity in mind. Further, the effects of small changes in the earth's atmosphere and the interplanetary plasma have small but important effects on propagation time and hence on the measurement of distance. Advances are almost incredible. Communication capability measured in 18 bits per second at a given range rose by a factor of 10 in the 19 years from Explorer I of 1958 to Voyager of 1977. This improvement was attained through ingenious design based on the sort of penetrating analysis set forth in this book by engineers who took part in a highly detailed and amazingly successful pro gram. Careful observation and analysis have told us much about limitations on the accurate measurement of distance. It is not easy to get busy people to tell others clearly and in detail how they have solved important problems. Joseph H. Yuen and the other contribu tors to this book are to be commended for the time and care they have devoted to explicating one vital aspect of a great adventure of mankind.

An introduction to antenna Arraying in the Deep Space network Antenna arraying is the combining of the output from several antennas in order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the received signal. Now implemented at the Goldstone Complex and other Deep Space Network (DSN) overseas facilities, antenna arraying provides flexible use of multiple antennas to increase data rates and has enabled NASA's DSN to extend the missions of some spacecraft beyond their planned lifetimes. Antenna Arraying Techniques in the Deep Space Network introduces the development and use of antenna arraying as it is implemented in the DSN. Drawing on the work of scientists at JPL, this timely volume summarizes the development of antenna arraying and its historical background; describes key concepts and techniques; analyzes and compares several methods of arraying; discusses several correlation techniques used for obtaining the combined weights; presents the results of several arraying experiments; and suggests directions for future work. An important contribution to the scientific literature, Antenna Arraying Techniques in the Deep Space Network * Was commissioned by the JPL Deep Space Communications and Navigation Systems (DESCANSO) Center of Excellence * Highlights many NASA-funded technical contributions pertaining to deep space communications systems * Is a part of the prestigious JPL Deep Space Communications and Navigation Series The Deep Space Communications and Navigation Series is authored by scientists and engineers with extensive experience in astronautics, communications, and related fields. It lays the foundation for innovation in the areas of deep space navigation and communications by disseminating state-of-the-art knowledge in key technologies.

Radiometric Tracking Techniques for Deep-Space Navigation focuses on a broad array of technologies and concepts developed over the last four decades to support radio navigation on interplanetary spacecraft. In addition to an overview of Earth-based radio navigation techniques, the book includes a simplified conceptual presentation of each radiometric measurement type, its information content, and the expected measeurement accuracy. The methods described for both aquiring and calibrating radiometric measurements also provide a robust system to support guidance and navigation for future robotic space exploration.

A valuable reference for students and professionals in the field of deep space navigation Drawing on fundamental principles and practices developed during decades of deep space exploration at the California Institute of Technology’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), this book documents the formation of program Regres of JPL’s Orbit Determination Program (ODP). Program Regres calculates the computed values of observed quantities (e.g., Doppler and range observables) obtained at the tracking stations of the Deep Space Network, and also calculates media corrections for the computed values of the observable and partial derivatives of the computed values of the observables with respect to the solve-for-parameter vector-q. The ODP or any other program which uses its formulation can be used to navigate a spacecraft anywhere in the solar system. A publication of the JPL Deep Space Communications and Navigation System Center of Excellence (DESCANSO), Formulation for Observed and Computed Values of Deep Space Network Data Types for Navigation is an invaluable resource for graduate students of celestial mechanics or astrodynamics because it: features the expertise of today’s top scientists places the entire program Regres formulation in an easy-to-access resource describes technology which will be used in the next generation of navigation software currently under development The Deep Space Communications and Navigation Series is authored by scientists and engineers with extensive experience in astronautics, communications, and related fields. It lays the foundation for innovation in the areas of deep space navigation and communications by conveying state-of-the-art knowledge in key technologies.

The book shows you how to analyze, design, measure and accurately evaluate the many detailed elements comprising noise temperature. After a thorough introductory overview, you delve into reflector performance issues, including material conductivity, perforations, protective coatings, the effects of terrestrial weather, and the influence of the Earth's Sun.

A description of what the Deep Space Network (DSN) is about, and how it works an aspect of NASA's planetary program. The origin and birth of the DSN, its subsequent development and expansion over four decades, and a description of the way in which the DSN was used to fulfill the purpose for which it was created. Technical references on the advanced telecommunications technology of the DSN. Describes the inner workings of the DSN and how they related to the more publicly visible events of the planetary space program.

The book explores the low-noise microwave systems that form the front end of all DSN ground receiving stations. It explains why the front end of each antenna is key to establishing the sensivity, polarization, frequency diversity, and capabilities of the receiving chain and, therefore, the entire ground station.