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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1977

The Deep Space Network

The various systems and subsystems are discussed for the Deep Space Network (DSN). A description of the DSN is presented along with mission support, program planning, facility engineering, implementation and operations.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1977

The Deep Space Network, volume 39

The functions, facilities, and capabilities of the Deep Space Network and its support of the Pioneer, Helios, and Viking missions are described. Progress in tracking and data acquisition research and technology, network engineering and modifications, as well as hardware and software implementation and operations are reported.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1982

A federated information management system for the Deep Space Network

General requirements for an information management system for the deep space network (DSN) are examined. A concise review of available database management system technology is presented. It is recommended that a federation of logically decentralized databases be implemented for the Network Information Management System of the DSN. Overall characteristics of the federation are specified, as well as reasons for adopting this approach.

Dobinson, E.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Application of the Deep Space Network (DSN) to the testing of general relativity

The NASA Deep Space Network, a precision telecommunications and radio navigation facility, is described in detail. The first spacecraft relativity test with Mariner 6 and Mariner 7 at solar conjunction is discussed as well as more accurate tests using the Mariner 9 anchored to Mars. Consideration is also given to solar system tests of relativistic celestial mechanics and future prospects. It is noted that the NASA Mars Observer orbital mission is under development and is expected to reach Mars in 1991.

Anderson, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Attempt of automated space network operations at ETS-VI experimental data relay system

National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) is to perform experimental operations to acquire necessary technology for the future inter-satellite communications configured with a data relay satellite. This paper intends to overview functions of the experimental ground system which NASDA has developed for the Engineering Test Satellite VI (ETS-VI) Data Relay and Tracking Experiment, and to introduce Space Network System Operations Procedure (SNSOP) method with an example of Ka-band Single Access (KSA) acquisition sequence. To reduce operational load, SNSOP is developed with the concept of automated control and monitor of both ground terminal and data relay satellite. To perform acquisition and tracking operations fluently, the information exchange with user spacecraft controllers is automated by SNSOP functions.

Ishihara, Kiyoomi↗
NASA NTRS2021

NASA’s Deep Space Network: Automation in the Follow-the-Sun Era

The Deep Space Network (DSN) comprises three sites, located in California, Spain, and Australia; each site operates one 70m and multiple 34m antennas that provide communications and navigation services to NASA and international partners. As part of a multiyear upgrade in automation of the network, the DSN has undertaken a series of operations efficiency improvements which has fundamentally changed the operations paradigm of the network. At the start of this effort, each site operated only their local antennas and equipment 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, and each spacecraft activity (link) had a single dedicated Link Control Operator. In its final stage, realized in 2020, each one of the three sites operates the entire network during their local day shift, handing off control to the next site as their day ends, and tracks can be run in a fully automated manner with no operator intervention. This paradigm change has realized significant operations cost savings, but has posed some major challenges along the way. This paper describes the system changes that enabled the operations efficiency improvements, some the challenges, and plans for the future.

Levesque, Michael↗
NASA NTRS2011

Identification of Abnormal System Noise Temperature Patterns in Deep Space Network Antennas Using Neural Network Trained Fuzzy Logic

This paper presents the development of a fuzzy logic function trained by an artificial neural network to classify the system noise temperature (SNT) of antennas in the NASA Deep Space Network (DSN). The SNT data were classified into normal, marginal, and abnormal classes. The irregular SNT pattern was further correlated with link margin and weather data. A reasonably good correlation is detected among high SNT, low link margin and the effect of bad weather; however we also saw some unexpected non-correlations which merit further study in the future.

pattern identification↗
NASA NTRS2012

Automating Mid- and Long-Range Scheduling for the NASA Deep Space Network

NASA has recently deployed a new mid-range scheduling system for the antennas of the Deep Space Network (DSN), called Service Scheduling Software, or S(sup 3). This system was designed and deployed as a modern web application containing a central scheduling database integrated with a collaborative environment, exploiting the same technologies as social web applications but applied to a space operations context. This is highly relevant to the DSN domain since the network schedule of operations is developed in a peer-to-peer negotiation process among all users of the DSN. These users represent not only NASA's deep space missions, but also international partners and ground-based science and calibration users. The initial implementation of S(sup 3) is complete and the system has been operational since July 2011. This paper describes some key aspects of the S(sup 3) system and on the challenges of modeling complex scheduling requirements and the ongoing extension of S(sup 3) to encompass long-range planning, downtime analysis, and forecasting, as the next step in developing a single integrated DSN scheduling tool suite to cover all time ranges.

Deep Space Network↗
NASA NTRS2004

Space Network Devices Developed

The NASA Glenn Research Center through a contract with Spectrum Astro, Inc., has been developing space network hardware as an enabling technology using open systems interconnect (OSI) standards for space-based communications applications. The OSI standard is a well-recognized layered reference model that specifies how data should be sent node to node in a communications network. Because of this research and technology development, a space-qualifiable Ethernet-based network interface card (similar to the type found in a networked personal computer) and the associated four-port hub were designed and developed to flight specifications. During this research and development, there also have been many lessons learned for determining approaches for migrating existing spacecraft architectures to an OSI-network-based platform. Industry has recognized the benefits of targeting hardware developed around OSI standards such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) or similar protocols for use in future generations of space communication systems. Some of these tangible benefits include overall reductions in mission schedule and cost and in system complexity. This development also brings us a step closer to the realization of a principal investigator on a terrestrial Internet site being able to interact with space platform assets in near real time. To develop this hardware, Spectrum Astro first conducted a technology analysis of alternatives study. For this analysis, they looked at the features of three protocol specifications: Ethernet (IEEE 802.3), Firewire (IEEE 1394), and Spacewire (IEEE 1355). A thorough analysis was performed on the basis of criteria such as current protocol performance and suitability for future space applications. Spectrum Astro also projected future influences such as cost, hardware and software availability, throughput performance, and integration procedures for current and transitive space architectures. After a thorough analysis, Ethernet was chosen because it was seen as the best longer term fit because of the prevalent commercial market; the current and projected availability of hardware, software, and development tools; and the ease of architecture integration.

Jones, Robert E.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Automating Mid- and Long-Range Scheduling for NASA's Deep Space Network

NASA has recently deployed a new mid-range scheduling system for the antennas of the Deep Space Network (DSN), called Service Scheduling Software, or S(sup 3). This system is architected as a modern web application containing a central scheduling database integrated with a collaborative environment, exploiting the same technologies as social web applications but applied to a space operations context. This is highly relevant to the DSN domain since the network schedule of operations is developed in a peer-to-peer negotiation process among all users who utilize the DSN (representing 37 projects including international partners and ground-based science and calibration users). The initial implementation of S(sup 3) is complete and the system has been operational since July 2011. S(sup 3) has been used for negotiating schedules since April 2011, including the baseline schedules for three launching missions in late 2011. S(sup 3) supports a distributed scheduling model, in which changes can potentially be made by multiple users based on multiple schedule "workspaces" or versions of the schedule. This has led to several challenges in the design of the scheduling database, and of a change proposal workflow that allows users to concur with or to reject proposed schedule changes, and then counter-propose with alternative or additional suggested changes. This paper describes some key aspects of the S(sup 3) system and lessons learned from its operational deployment to date, focusing on the challenges of multi-user collaborative scheduling in a practical and mission-critical setting. We will also describe the ongoing project to extend S(sup 3) to encompass long-range planning, downtime analysis, and forecasting, as the next step in developing a single integrated DSN scheduling tool suite to cover all time ranges.

scheduling↗
NASA NTRS1990

The Deep Space Network: The challenges of the next 20 years - The 21st century

The Deep Space Network (DSN) has been the radio navigation and communications link between NASA's lunar and deep space missions for 30 years. In this paper, new mission opportunities over the next 20 years are discussed. The system design drivers and the DSN architectural concepts for those challenges are briefly considered.

Dumas, L. N.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Radio Science System Design and Measurement Results for the NASA Deep Space Network (DSN)

Radio science measurements have been performed using the NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) with many different spacecraft over several decades. Radio science has been used for the study of planetary atmospheres, the solar corona and the search for gravity waves, among other things. The majority of these measurements are made using the X and Ka-band deep space bands. Although the primary mission for the DSN is tracking, telemetry and command (TT&C) for NASA’s many deep-space spacecraft, radio science measurements continue to be an important secondary mission. The science requirements for these measurements have resulted in stringent performance requirements for both the spacecraft and ground system equipment. In particular, the requirements for amplitude stability, phase stability (Allen deviation) and phase noise are very demanding. The system Allen deviation requirement at Ka-band is < 2.4 E-15 over 1000 seconds, while the phase noise requirement is < -50 dBc/Hz for a 1 Hz offset. Various design techniques have been used for the DSN radio frequency (RF) electronics, high power transmitters and antenna structures to meet the stringent requirements for all 3 of these parameters. Some details for the design techniques will be described in the paper. Another important consideration for a radio science system is the verification approach for components, as well as for individual subsystems and then the overall system. Phase-locked oscillators (PLOs) are one of the key component types that determine overall phase noise and Allen deviation system performance. Measurement techniques used for PLOs, as well as for the overall ground system, will be discussed. Measurement results for the 2 new DSN antennas, recently built under the DSN Aperture Enhancement Project (DAEP) will also be shown. In addition, some recent radio science measurements from the Cassini and JUNO missions, using the new antennas, will be presented.

LaBelle, Remi C.↗