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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2017

AI and Autonomy Initiatives for NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN)

NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN) consists of thirteen large (34- and 70-meter) antennas that are used to communicate with approximately 40 NASA and partner spacecraft, all at great distance from the earth (generally at Lunar distances and beyond). The DSN has a long history — over 50 years — and has evolved with cutting edge, often custom, telecommunications equipment and associated software systems. In recent years, and in preparation for an increasing future demand, there has been an effort to invest in initiatives that will result in significant cost savings in the future. These efforts are building on, or augmenting, the recent deployment of “Follow-the-Sun” operations (day shift remote operational control of the entire network from each of the three antenna complexes in turn) — which is being deployed in 2017. This paper focuses on Adaptive Demand Access: in a paradigm shift from completely pre-planned operations, this concept calls for spacecraft to signal their intent (or not) for near-future contacts, in case they have science results of interest, or have experienced an anomaly. This would take advantage of a beacon tone transmission, which can be detected using smaller antennas. When a connection request is received, the DSN ground systems would adaptively accommodate the request, inserting the contact into the plan as soon as possible, subject to constraints and priorities. The demand access concept incorporates onboard data analysis and science data processing, so that beacon tones can be generated with maximum information. This area is representative of several where infusing AI technologies can lead to improved effectiveness of the DSN as the network readies for support of expanded Mars exploration efforts in the 2020’s and beyond.

Wyatt, E. Jay↗
NASA NTRS1999

Propagation Effects of Importance to the NASA/JPL Deep Space Network (DSN)

This paper presents Propagation Effects of Importance To The NASA/JPL Deep Space Network (DSN). The topics include: 1) DSN Antennas; 2) Deep Space Telecom Link Basics; 3) DSN Propagation Region of Interest; 4) Ka-Band Weather Effects Models and Examples; 5) Existing Goldstone Ka-Band Atmosphere Attenuation Model; 6) Existing Goldstone Atmosphere Noise Temperature Model; and 7) Ka-Band delta (G/T) Relative to Vacuum Condition. This paper summarizes the topics above.

Slobin, Steve↗
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.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) Lunar Exploration Upgrades (DLEU)

In the near future, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will return to the moon beginning the next era of human exploration. NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program will play a vital role in establishing communications and navigation support to realize the ambitious goals of the Artemis program. SCaN’s overall lunar communications support plan will be covered in a separate 2023 SpaceOps paper: “NASA’s Communications and Navigation Architecture Plans to Support the Return to the Moon and a Sustainable Lunar Presence”. The plan as it currently stands, includes a three-fold approach of lunar relay services, a dedicated set of new ground stations and support through the Deep Space Network (DSN). This paper will have a more granular focus on the DSN and NASA’s plans to upgrade and expand the network to be better suited for human spaceflight on and around the lunar surface. NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN) will be a critical communications component for the upcoming lunar activities. There will be multiple spacecraft, using different bands, and some of those spacecraft will be transmitting and receiving using multiple bands, requiring DSN support of S-band (2 GHz), X-band (7 GHz up, 8 GHz down), and K-band (22.5 GHz up, 26 GHz down). Since there may be more than one spacecraft in the beamwidth of the DSN antennas, the DSN support will require an extension of the DSN’s capability to support multiple spacecraft using one antenna, expanding it to provide two simultaneous uplinks in the different bands at each antenna. Achieving this requires using new techniques for manufacturing the frequency selective surfaces, called dichroics, which steer the different frequency beams from and to the appropriate transmitting and receiving equipment, along with the addition of a new K-band uplink system. Additionally, due to the relative closeness of the moon from Earth (as opposed to the planetary missions the DSN supports daily), significantly higher data rates on both uplink and downlink are required, specifically up to 20 Mbps on the uplink and 150 Mbps on the downlink, both using Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) error correcting codes. And, again due to the relative closeness of the moon, there is a need for low latency data delivery of the high rate downlink telemetry which requires a change in the current DSN paradigm of delivering higher rate data with higher latency.

deep space network↗
NASA NTRS1976

Microwave spectrum compatibility in planetary research

The paper presents an overview of solar system exploration, basic functions of the Deep Space Network (DSN), deep space microwave links, space research compatibility problems, and DSN's interference susceptibility. To maintain the operational integrity of competing radio systems using the microwave spectrum, the technology must extend to make possible the shared use of the spectral ranges without the ill effects of interferences. Suggestions are given which are only examples of many possible techniques that can eliminate or reduce interferences.

Siegmeth, A. J.↗
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 NTRSDate not supplied

NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN) Lunar Exploration Upgrades (DLEU)

In the near future, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will returnhumansto the moon beginning the next era of human exploration. NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program will play a vital role in establishing communications and navigation support to realize the ambitious goals of the Artemis program. SCaN’s overall lunar communications support plan will be covered in a separate 2023 SpaceOps paper: “NASA’s Communications and Navigation Architecture Plans to Support the Return to the Moon and a Sustainable Lunar Presence.” The four-point plan,as it currently stands, includes lunar relay services, a dedicated set of new ground stations, international partner contributions,and supportthrough the Deep Space Network (DSN)and associated upgrades. This paper will have a more granular focus on the DSN and NASA’s plans to upgrade and expand the network to be better suited for human spaceflight on and around the lunar surface. NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN) will be a critical communications component for the upcoming lunar activities. There will be multiple spacecraft, using different bands, and some of those spacecraft will be transmitting and receiving using multiple bands, requiring DSN support of S-band (2 GHz), X-band (7 GHz up, 8 GHz down), and K-band (22.5 GHz up, 26 GHz down). Since there may be more than one spacecraft in the beamwidth of the DSN antennas, the DSN support will require an extension of the DSN’s capability to support multiple spacecraft using one antenna, expanding it to provide two simultaneous uplinks in the different bands at each antenna. Achieving this requires using new techniques for manufacturing the frequency selective surfaces, called dichroics, which steer the different frequency beams from and to the appropriate transmitting and receiving equipment, along with the addition of a new K-band uplink system. Additionally, due to the relative closeness of the moon from Earth (as opposed to the planetary missionsthe DSN supports daily), significantly higher data rates on both uplink and downlinkare requiredare possible and desirable by the lunar missions, specifically up to 20 Mbps on the uplink and 150 Mbps on the downlink, both using Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) error correcting codes. And, again due to the relative closeness of the moon, there is a need for low latency data delivery of the high rate downlink telemetry which requires a change in the current DSN paradigm of delivering higher rate data with higher latency.

Moon↗
NASA NTRS1993

Cost and reliability study for a large array of small reflector antennas for JPL/NASA Deep Space Network (DSN)

A study performed to estimate the cost of an array of small aperture reflector antennas to be used instead of or in conjunction with the current large reflector antennas of the JPL/NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) is described. The arrays are used for servicing present and future NASA missions that involve smaller spacecraft with limited power and smaller, lower-gain antennas. The advantages of the array configuration in terms of cost and reliability are discussed. A probabilistic determination of the reliability and availability of the array as a function of the number of array elements and the availability of individual array elements is made. The impact of additional marginal elements on the operational availability of the array is studied. Parametric cost and reliability plots are presented and directions for further investigation are outlined.

Jamnejad, Vahraz↗
NASA NTRS1993

Cost and Reliability Study for a Large Array of Small Reflector Antennas for JPL/NASA Deep Space Network (DSN)

A study is performed to estimate the cost of an array of small aperture reflector antennas to be used instead or in conjunction with the current large reflector antennas of the JPL/NASA Deep Space Network (DSN), for servicing present and future NASA missions which involve smaller spacecraft with limited power and smaller, lower gain antennas. The advantages of the array configuration in terms of cost and reliability are studied. A probabilistic determination of the reliability and availability of the array as a function of the number of array elements and the availability of individual array elements is made. The impact of additional marginal elements on the operational availability of the array is studied. Parametric cost and reliability plots are presented and directions for further investigation are outlined.

Resch, G.↗
NASA NTRS2015

NASA Near Earth Network (NEN), Deep Space Network (DSN) and Space Network (SN) Support of CubeSat Communications

There has been a historical trend to increase capability and drive down the Size, Weight and Power (SWAP) of satellites and that trend continues today. Small satellites, including systems conforming to the CubeSat specification, because of their low launch and development costs, are enabling new concepts and capabilities for science investigations across multiple fields of interest to NASA. NASA scientists and engineers across many of NASAs Mission Directorates and Centers are developing exciting CubeSat concepts and welcome potential partnerships for CubeSat endeavors. From a communications and tracking point of view, small satellites including CubeSats are a challenge to coordinate because of existing small spacecraft constraints, such as limited SWAP and attitude control, low power, and the potential for high numbers of operational spacecraft. The NASA Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Programs Near Earth Network (NEN), Deep Space Network (DSN) and the Space Network (SN) are customer driven organizations that provide comprehensive communications services for space assets including data transport between a missions orbiting satellite and its Mission Operations Center (MOC). The NASA NEN consists of multiple ground antennas. The SN consists of a constellation of geosynchronous (Earth orbiting) relay satellites, named the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). The DSN currently makes available 13 antennas at its three tracking stations located around the world for interplanetary communication. The presentation will analyze how well these space communication networks are positioned to support the emerging small satellite and CubeSat market. Recognizing the potential support, the presentation will review the basic capabilities of the NEN, DSN and SN in the context of small satellites and will present information about NEN, DSN and SN-compatible flight radios and antenna development activities at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and across industry. The presentation will review concepts on how the SN multiple access capability could help locate CubeSats and provide a low-latency early warning system. The presentation will also present how the DSN is evolving to maximize use of its assets for interplanetary CubeSats. The critical spectrum-related topics of available and appropriate frequency bands, licensing, and coordination will be reviewed. Other key considerations, such as standardization of radio frequency interfaces and flight and ground communications hardware systems, will be addressed as such standardization may reduce the amount of time and cost required to obtain frequency authorization and perform compatibility and end-to-end testing. Examples of standardization that exist today are the NASA NEN, DSN and SN systems which have published users guides and defined frequency bands for high data rate communication, as well as conformance to CCSDS standards. The workshop session will also seek input from the workshop participants to better understand the needs of small satellite systems and to identify key development activities and operational approaches necessary to enhance communication and navigation support using NASA's NEN, DSN and SN.

Telecommunication↗
NASA NTRS2006

The NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) Array

The DSN Array Project is currently working with Senior Management at both JPL and NASA to develop strategies towards starting a major implementation project. Several studies within NASA are concluding, all of which recommend that any future DSN capability include arraying of antennas to increase performance. Support of Deep Space, Lunar, and CEV (crewed exploration vehicle) missions is possible. High data rate and TDRSS formatting is being investigated. Any future DSN capacity must include Uplink. Current studies ongoing to investigate and develop technologies for uplink arraying; provides advantages in three ways: 1) N2 effect. EIRP grows as N2(-vs-N for a downlink array); 2) Improved architectural options (can separate uplink and downlink); and 3) Potential for more cost effective transmitters for fixed EIRP.

communications↗
NASA NTRS1988

Gravitational wave searches using the DSN (Deep Space Network)

The Deep Space Network Doppler spacecraft link is currently the only method available for broadband gravitational wave searches in the 0.01 to 0.001 Hz frequency range. The DSN's role in the worldwide search for gravitational waves is described by first summarizing from the literature current theoretical estimates of gravitational wave strengths and time scales from various astrophysical sources. Current and future detection schemes for ground based and space based detectors are then discussed. Past, present, and future planned or proposed gravitational wave experiments using DSN Doppler tracking are described. Lastly, some major technical challenges to improve gravitational wave sensitivities using the DSN are discussed.

Nelson, S. J.↗