Communicating with Mars during periods of solar conjunction
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solar conjunction communications propagarion Ka-ba↗
Engineering topics
Hastrup, R.
Publications and source records attributed to Hastrup, R..
Mars Comm/Nav MicroSat Network
A recent Mars Exploration Program Architecture Definition Study, conducted by NASA with strong international participation, recommands establishment of a low cost in-situ communications and navigation relay satellite network to provide enabling and enhancing support for the international exploration of Mars.
microsatellite↗
Architectural Design for a Mars Communications and Navigation Orbital Infrastructure
Mars has become the focus of an unprecedented series of missions spanning many years, involving numerous nations and evolving from robotics to humans.
Mars↗
Mars Network for Enabling Low-Cost Missions
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Mars network Mars communications Mars microsats Ma↗
Telecommunications for Mars Rovers and Robotic Missions
The Mars exploration program of NASA and the international community will evolve from an early emphasis on orbital remote sensing toward in situ science activity on, or just above, the Martian surface.
communications packages↗
Telecommunications for Mars Rovers and Robotic Mission
The Mars exploration program of NASA and the international community will evolve from an early emphasis on orbital remote sensing toward in-situ science activity on, or just above, the Martian surface.
robotic missions↗
Mars Relay Spacecraft: A Low-Cost Approach
The next phase of Mars exploration will utilize numerous globally distributed small low-cost devices including landers penetrators microrovers and balloons. Direct-to-Earth communications links if required for these landers will drive the lander design for two reasons: a) mass and complexity needed for a steerable high-gain antenna and b) power requirements for a high-power amplifier (i.e. solar panel and battery mass). Total mass of the direct link hardware for several recent small-lander designs exceeded the mass of the scientific payload. Alternatively if communications are via a Mars-orbiting relay spacecraft resource requirements for the local UHF communication link are comparatively trivial: a simple whip antenna and less than 1 watt power. Clearly using a Mars relay spacecraft (MRS) is the preferred option if the MRS mission can be accomplished in an affordable and robust way. Our paper describes a point design for such a mission launched in the s001 or 2003 opportunity.
Mars Relay Spacecraft↗
Relay Satellite Orbit Selection Considerations for Future Robotics Missions to Explore Venus
Discusses orbit design trades relevant to use of a Venus orbiting relay satellite supporting a variety of potential Venus robotic mission types. The emphasis is on the impact of mission tele- communications requirements on selection of a relay satellite orbit and its characteristics that can benefit or hinder mission performance for the potential robotic missions now under consideration.
Venus↗
Mars Relay Satellite: Key to Enabling and Enhancing Low Cost Exploration Missions
Currently there is a renewed focus on Mars exploration both by NASA and the international community.
power connectivity constraints Mars exploration↗
Mars Relay Satellite: Key to Enabling Low-Cost Exploration Missions
Recently, there has been increasing evidence of a renewed focus on Mars exploration both by NASA and the international community. The thrust of this renewed interest appears to be manifesting itself in numerous low-cost missions employing small, light weight elements, which utilize advanced technologies including integrated microelectronics. A formidable problem facing these low-cost missions is communications with Earth. Providing adequate direct-link performance has very significant impacts on spacecraft power, pointing, mass and overall complexity. Additionally, for elements at or near the surface of Mars, there are serious connectivity constraints, especially at higher latitudes, which lose view of Earth for up to many months at a time. This paper will discuss the role a Mars relay satellite can play in enabling and enhancing low-cost missions to Mars...
Hastrup, R.↗
A Mars orbiter/rover/penetrator mission for the 1984 opportunity
A point design mission is described that utilizes the 1984 opportunity to extend the exploration of Mars after the successful Viking operations and provide the additional scientific information needed before conducting a sample return mission. Two identical multi-element spacecraft are employed, each consisting of (1) an orbiter, (2) a Viking-derived landing system that delivers a heavily instrumented, semi-autonomous rover, and (3) three penetrators deployed from the approach trajectory. Selection of the orbit profiles requires consideration of several important factors in order to satisfy all of the mission goals.
Hastrup, R.↗