Mars Exploration Deep Space Return Link Scenarios and Transmit System Optimization

Paper number

IAC-05-B3.6.04

Author

Mr. Gary Noreen, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, United States

Year

2005

Abstract

This paper presents deep space return link communication scenarios for human and robotic exploration of Mars and estimates optimal combinations of spacecraft transmitter and high gain antenna required to support the scenarios.

The deep space communication scenarios are derived from strawman requirements for future human and robotic missions. The scenarios include several operational and high rate services, each delivered with individually specified Quality of Service (QoS). Return link capacity will be dynamically allocated to meet changing user needs, ground system characteristics (number and type of receive antennas), weather forecasts, and Earth-Mars range.

The Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) of a spacecraft telecommunications system determines its ability to transmit data. EIRP is the product of spacecraft antenna gain and transmitter output power, less any losses between the transmitter and antenna and pointing loss. The paper calculates the spacecraft EIRP required to support each strawman scenario.

The paper surveys future spacecraft transmitters, power sources (both solar and nuclear) and radiators and shows that the mass of each is approximately linearly related to transmitter output power. It also surveys future spacecraft high gain antennas and shows that antenna mass is approximately linearly related to antenna area so that antenna gain is also linearly related to mass. The paper demonstrates that for any given EIRP, spacecraft mass can be minimized by making the mass of the spacecraft transmitter system (including transmitter, transmitter power source and radiator) equal to the antenna mass.

The paper concludes by determining optimal combinations of transmitter and antenna for each communication scenario.

Abstract document

IAC-05-B3.6.04.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-B3.6.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.