Space and Earth Terminal Sizing for Future Mars Missions

Breidenthal, Julian C.; Xie, Huan; Lau, Chi-Wung; MacNeal, B.E.

doi:10.2514/6.2018-2426

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…This offers an especially attractive avenue for deployment of MOSAIC, where each deployed asset could act as an "infrastructure upgrade", providing communication, computation, and data analysis services for all subsequent assets. Agents participating in the MOSAIC could include Cubesats similar to MarCO [62], [63]; assets embedded in the "sky crane" lander and dropped during the "flyaway" phase [64], [65]; tethered balloons [66]; and aerostationary orbiters providing constant assistance to half the Mars surface [67], [68]. The algorithms proposed in this paper can be used during the system design phase to optimize the hardware of the distributed missions by simulating the scheduling problem in the loop with an iterative hardware trade space explorer such as [69].…”

Section: Reproducing Our Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-Robot On-site Shared Analytics Information and Computing

Hook¹,

Rossi²,

Vaquero³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Computation load-sharing across a network of heterogeneous robots is a promising approach to increase robots capabilities and efficiency as a team in extreme environments. However, in such environments, communication links may be intermittent and connections to the cloud or internet may be nonexistent. In this paper we introduce a communicationaware, computation task scheduling problem for multi-robot systems and propose an integer linear program (ILP) that optimizes the allocation of computational tasks across a network of heterogeneous robots, accounting for the networked robots' computational capabilities and for available (and possibly timevarying) communication links. We consider scheduling of a set of inter-dependent required and optional tasks modeled by a dependency graph. We present a consensus-backed scheduling architecture for shared-world, distributed systems. We validate the ILP formulation and the distributed implementation in different computation platforms and in simulated scenarios with a bias towards lunar or planetary exploration scenarios. Our results show that the proposed implementation can optimize schedules to allow a threefold increase the amount of rewarding tasks performed (e.g., science measurements) compared to an analogous system with no computational load-sharing.

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Section: Reproducing Our Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-Robot On-site Shared Analytics Information and Computing

Hook¹,

Rossi²,

Vaquero³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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“…Since the launch date of the proposed system is uncertain and well in the future, we need to make reasonable assumptions about optical technology progression over the coming decades. To that end we first surveyed similar studies done in the past (see [15]) and, based on their insights, defined the following three baseline technological states:…”

Section: Optical Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Cycler Orbits and Solar System Pony Express

Net

Pellegrini

Parker

et al. 2022

Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets

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In this work, we explore the concept of a secondary "data mule" consisting of a small satellite used to ferry data from a Mars mission to Earth for downlink. The concept exploits the fact that two nearby optical communicators can achieve extremely high data rates, and that a class of trajectories called "cyclers" can carry a satellite between Mars and Earth regularly. By exploiting cycler orbits, the courier needs minimal onboard propulsion.However, cycler orbits have long periodicity, as it can take years for the satellite, Mars, and Earth to repeat their relative geometry. Therefore, we propose the use of a network of such cycler "couriers" on phase-shifted trajectories to achieve a regular cadence of downlink trips. We design a series of search and optimization steps that can output a set of trajectories that at first approximation have low onboard propulsion requirements and can be used for any regular logistics network to and from Mars, then derive the link budget for proximity optical communications to show that this network can ferry large amounts of data.

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“…We assumed that a space terminal at Mars would be as described in a companion article 2 , that is, an Areostationary Mars-orbiting relay carrying a Ka-band (32 GHz) radio system with 940 W transmit power and a 6 m dish antenna for the return link, and capable of receiving a Ka-band (34.3 GHz) forward link. The Areostationary relay also carries a 50 cm optical telescope with three 15 W laser transmitters at 1550 nm, operating in parallel to provide the optical return link.…”

Section: A Space Terminal Near Marsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For this reason we selected a 75 cm dish antenna for Ka-band return and forward links, and a 94 W Ka-band (34.3 GHz) transmitter. Following the system described in a companion article 2 , we assumed the Areostationary terminal at Mars transmits from a 6 m dish antenna, with 940 W at 32 GHz toward the relay. We patterned other radio characteristics after the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), as detailed in Table 1.…”

Section: B Deep Space Relay Terminalmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Deep Space Relay Terminals for Mars Superior Conjunction

Breidenthal

Jesick

Xie

et al. 2018

2018 SpaceOps Conference

Self Cite

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The Sun periodically blocks direct communication between the Earth and Mars, creating a need for a relay when missions have a critical need for communication during these times. We examined several approaches based on optical or radio-frequency relays placed in deep space between the Earth and Mars, exploring multiple possible placements of relays, including periodic orbits in the Sun-Earth and Sun-Mars rotating frames, and eccentric, sun-centered orbits. L4 and L5 long-period orbits in the sun-Mars system provide suitable communications geometry continuously for very long durations. In such an orbit, a deep space relay terminal with two 50 cm optical telescopes and two 75 cm Ka-band dish antennas, along with associated receivers and transmitters, would be capable of supporting Mars superior conjunctions with an optical data rate of 28 to 44 Mbps for return links, and 30-36 Mbps in the forward direction. The relay should use efficient, low-noise optical detectors, such as appropriately cooled Avalanche Photo Diode or Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detectors, to achieve these data rates. The single relay discussed in this study might have additional value beyond communications, providing a synergistic platform for solar observation, solar wind observation, gravitational studies, the search for near-earth asteroids, or a navigational beacon.

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Space and Earth Terminal Sizing for Future Mars Missions

Cited by 8 publications

References 1 publication

Multi-Robot On-site Shared Analytics Information and Computing

Multi-Robot On-site Shared Analytics Information and Computing

Cycler Orbits and Solar System Pony Express

Deep Space Relay Terminals for Mars Superior Conjunction

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