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Distributed Spacecraft Autonomy - Development of Swarm Autonomy Capability and Scalability for Spacecraft

The Distributed Spacecraft Autonomy project is developing a suite of software tools that enable an operator to command and receive data from a swarm as a single entity, enable a swarm to autonomously coordinate its actions via distributed decision making and reactive closed-loop control, and model swarm behavior in the presence of anomalies or failures. Our use case is the mapping of the electron density of the ionosphere using radio tomography by coordinating the selection of appropriate GPS channels, and by recording Total Electron Count (TEC) measurements. DSA will be demonstrated onboard the NASA Ames Starling mission – a swarm of four small, LEO spacecraft, scheduled to launch in 2021. We will also perform a ground demonstration with simulated and hardware-in-the-loop elements, to validate the tools for controlling swarms of up to 100 assets. The capability to communicate autonomously between the swarm satellites is demonstrated via a sophisticated simulation architecture. Historical Plasmasphere TEC data obtained via dual-band Novatel GPS Receivers are utilized as a representative input dataset for the swarm. The representative TEC data and GPS satellite observability information is fed to the autonomous software package in place of a true real-time ground data collection process. The swarm satellites actively share status updates amongst one another and utilize multi-agent decision making to optimally identify regions of interest in the TEC distribution. The software, aware of the bandwidth limitations of the swarm satellites, prioritizes explorative measurements, which define the range of observability for the satellites, as well as exploitative measurements, which focus on maximizing the observance potential of regions with prolonged, elevated TEC density. The science of this study can ultimately be used to determine the dynamics and coupling of Earth’s magnetosphere, ionosphere, and atmosphere and their response to solar and terrestrial inputs. The findings can be applied to the imaging of critical, transient phenomena in the magnetosphere in later missions. Meanwhile, the swarm autonomy capabilities have far reaching potential in future satellite missions. As an experimental demonstration of the autonomous capabilities of the network, a message is first printed within a core Flight Executive (cFE) application. Two cFE applications that communicate with one another within the same core Flight System (cFS) are shown. Communication between mission applications on the internal cFE bus is extended to utilize Data Distribution Service (DDS) for vehicle-to-vehicle networking. The DDS middleware provides reliable delivery, routing, and topic subscription features over User Datagram Protocol (UDP). Leveraging Linux containerization, a networked set of satellite instances are generated by script to simulate swarm behavior. Swarm commanding and synchronization through the network is demonstrated under various topologies and data-loss conditions. Finally, autonomous swarm scalability from 2 satellites to 100 satellites is shown.

Distributed Autonomy↗
NASA NTRS1978

The heliocentric radial variation of plasma oscillations associated with type III radio bursts

A survey is presented of all of the electron plasma oscillation events found to date in association with low-frequency type III solar radio bursts using approximately 9 years of observations from the Imp 6 and 8, Helios 1 and 2, and Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft. Plasma oscillation events associated with type III radio bursts show a pronounced increase in both the intensity and the frequency of occurrence with decreasing heliocentric radial distance. This radial dependence explains why intense electron plasma oscillations are seldon observed in association with type III radio bursts at the orbit of the earth. Possible interpretations of the observed radial variation in the plasma oscillation intensity are considered.

Gurnett, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Observing Solar Radio Bursts from the Lunar Surface

Locating low frequency radio observatories on the lunar surface has a number of advantages. Here, we describe the Radio Observatory for Lunar Sortie Science (ROLSS), a concept for a low frequency, radio imaging interferometric array designed to study particle acceleration in the corona and inner heliosphere. ROLSS would be deployed during an early lunar sortie or by a robotic rover as part of an unmanned landing. The prime science mission is to image type II and type III solar radio bursts with the aim of determining the sites at and mechanisms by which the radiating particles are accelerated. Secondary science goals include constraining the density of the lunar ionosphere by searching for a low radio frequency cutoff of the solar radio emissions and constraining the low energy electron population in astrophysical sources. Furthermore, ROLSS serves a pathfinder function for larger lunar radio arrays. Key design requirements on ROLES include the operational frequency and angular resolution. The electron densities in the solar corona and inner heliosphere are such that the relevant emission occurs below 10 MHz, essentially unobservable from Earth's surface due to the terrestrial ionospheric cutoff. Resolving the potential sites of particle acceleration requires an instrument with an angular resolution of at least 2 deg, equivalent to a linear array size of approximately 500 meters. Operations would consist of data acquisition during the lunar day, with regular data downlinks. The major components of the ROLSS array are 3 antenna arms arranged in a Y shape, with a central electronics package (CEP). Each antenna arm is a linear strip of polyimide film (e.g., Kapton (TM)) on which 16 single polarization dipole antennas are located by depositing a conductor (e.g., silver). The arms also contain transmission lines for carrying the radio signals from the science antennas to the CEP.

MacDowall, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Constraints on electron acceleration in the Crab nebula

Using the radio through hard X-ray images of the Crab nebula to derive the spatial dependence of the electron spectrum and the magnetic field distribution from MHD flow models, we have rederived the high-energy spectrum of inverse Compton scattered gamma rays. We find agreement with the observed spectrum at TeV energies, but it is clear that the inverse Compton flux does not contribute significantly to the unpulsed nebular emission observed by COS-B from 50 to 500 MeV, which is consistent with a smooth continuation of the spectrum in hard X-rays. The emission at these energies must therefore be due to synchrotron radiation by electrons of at least PeV energies. It appears that the emission in the high-energy gamma-ray range, sensitive to the highest energy electrons in the nebula, can put interesting constraints on the acceleration mechanism.

Harding, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Deposition of diamond-like films by ECR microwave plasma

Hard amorphous hydrogenated carbon, diamond-like films are deposited using an electron cyclotron resonance microwave plasma with a separate radio frequency power bias applied to a substrate stage. The electron cyclotron resonance microwave plasma yields low deposition pressure and creates ion species otherwise unavailable. A magnetic mirror configuration extracts special ion species from a plasma chamber. Different levels of the radio frequency power bias accelerate the ion species of the ECR plasma impinging on a substrate to form different diamond-like films. During the deposition process, a sample stage is maintained at an ambient temperature of less than 100.degree. C. No external heating is applied to the sample stage. The deposition process enables diamond-like films to be deposited on heat-sensitive substrates.

Shing, Yuh-Han↗
NASA NTRS1985

Point Simulator for Synthetic-Aperture Radar

Reflection from point target imitated electronically. SAR simulator produces amplitude- and phase-modulated 60-MHz signal that resembles SAR return of point scatterer. Designed to test integrated optical SAR receivers, simulator applies phase modulation necessary to turn radio-frequency pulse train into electronic equivalent of unfocused radar image of target.

Psaltis, D.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The flash phase of solar flares - Satellite observations of electrons

Satellite observations of solar electrons bearing on flare particle acceleration and the generation of radio and X-ray emission are reviewed. The observations support a two-stage acceleration process for electrons, one stage commonly occurring at the flare flash phase and accelerating electrons up to about 100 keV, and a second stage occurring only in large proton flares and accelerating electrons up to relativistic energies. The location of the acceleration region appears to be no lower than the lower corona. The accelerated non-relativistic electrons generate type III radio burst emission as they escape from the sun. Direct spacecraft observations of the type III emission generated near 1 AU and the energetic electrons, provide quantitative information on the characteristics of the electrons exciting type III emission, the production of plasma waves, and the conversion from plasma waves to electromagnetic radiation.

Lin, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The ionosphere of Neptune

Limited knowledge of ionospheric processes of the outer planets and practically no information on the upper atmosphere of Neptune result in a range of possible ionospheres for Neptune. Various cases are investigated in order to establish a theoretical framework of the ionospheric structure against which the radio occultation measurements can be evaluated. The peak electron densities could range from 1000/cu cm to 10 to the 6th/cu cm depending on ion loss processes and particle ionization processes. The scale height could also range from 300 km to 2000 km depending on the exospheric temperature. Although various assumptions must be made, it is predicted that an auroral ionosphere with large electron densities and a large scale height will be observed by the ingress radio occultation measurement, and that a compressed ionosphere with small electron densities will be seen during the egress measurement.

Shinagawa, H.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Evidence for nonlinear wave-wave interactions in solar type III radio bursts

Evidence is presented that nonlinear wave-wave interactions occur in type III solar radio bursts. Intense, spiky Langmuir waves are observed to be driven by electron beams associated with type III solar radio bursts in the interplanetary medium. Bursts of 30-300 Hz (in the spacecraft frame) waves are often observed coincident in time with the most intense spikes of the Langmuir waves. These low-frequency waves appear to be long-wavelength ion acoustic waves, with wavenumber approximately equal to the beam resonant Langmuir wavenumber. Three possible interpretations of these observations are considered: modulational instability, parametric decay of the parent Langmuir waves to daughter ion acoustic and Langmuir waves, and decay to daughter electromagnetic waves and ion acoustic waves.

Lin, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Fermi LAT Results and Perspectives in Measurements of High Energy Galactic Cosmic Rays

Real breakthrough during last 1-1.5 years in cosmic ray electrons: ATIC, HESS, Pamela, and finally Fermi-LAT. New quality data have made it possible to start quantitative modeling. With the new data more puzzles than before on CR electrons origin. Need "multi-messenger" campaign: electrons, positrons, gammas, X-ray, radio, neutrino... It is viable that we are dealing with at least two distinct mechanisms of "primary" electron (both signs) production: a softer spectrum of negative electrons, and a harder spectrum of both e(+)+e(-). Exotic (e.g. DM) origin is not ruled out. Upper limits on CR electrons anisotropy are set. Good perspectives to have the Fermi LAT results on proton spectrum and positron fraction.

Moiseev, Alexander↗
NASA NTRS1990

Radio continuum and far-infrared emission of spiral galaxies: Implications of correlations

Researchers present a study extending the correlation seen between radio continuum and far-infrared emissions from spiral galaxies to a lower frequency of 408 MHz and also as a function of radio spectral index. The tight correlation seen between the two luminosities is then used to constrain several parameters governing the emissions such as the changes in star formation rate and mass function, frequency of supernovae that are parents of the interstellar electrons and factors governing synchrotron radio emission.

Rengarajan, T. N.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The Soviet contributions towards MAP/WINE

In the winter of 1983 to 1984, the research institutes of the Soviet Union took an active part in the accomplishment of the project Winter in Northern Europe (MAP/WINE) of the Middle Atmosphere Program. Different methods were used to measure temperature, direction and velocity of wind, turbulence, electron concentration in the lower ionosphere, and radio wave absorption. The study of the stratopheric warmings and the related changes in the mesosphere and lower ionosphere was considered of special importance. The analysis of the obtained data has shown, in particular, that during the stratospheric warmings the western wind in winter time becomes weaker and even reverses. At the same time period the electron concentration and the radio wave absorption in the lower ionosphere are often reduced. It is also observed that the high absorption zones move from west to east. These results confirm the concept about the role of the cyclonic circumpolar vortex in the transport of the auroral air to temperate latitudes and about the appearance of conditions for the winter anomalous radio wave absorption.

Rapoport, Z. TA.↗
NASA NTRS1981

A comparison of the radio data and model calculations of Jupiter's synchrotron radiation. I - The high energy electron distribution in Jupiter's inner magnetosphere. II - East-west asymmetry in the radiation belts as a function of Jovian longitude

A comparison has been made between detailed model calculations of Jupiter's synchrotron radiation and the radio data at wavelengths of 6, 21, and 50 cm. The calculations were performed for a Jovian longitude of 200 deg and were based on the multipole field configurations as derived from the Pioneer data. The electron distribution in the inner magnetosphere was derived as a function of energy, pitch angle, and spatial coordinates. In addition, the hot region or east-west asymmetry in the radiation belts is investigated. It is suggested that this asymmetry is due to the combined effect of an overabundance of electrons at jovicentric longitudes of 240-360 deg and the existence of a dusk-to-dawn directed electric field over the inner magnetosphere generated by the wind system in the upper atmosphere.

De Pater, I.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Auroral precipitation caused by auroral kilometric radiation

If the auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) were generated by loss cone lasing on closed field lines, as has been proposed, then it should cause substantial auroral precipitation by the pitch angle scattering of energetic electrons into the loss cone. A rough estimate for this precipitation, based upon the observed AKR amplitudes, would imply a flux of at least 2 x 10 to the 8th el/sq cm sec over the projected ionospheric footprint of an individual laser and, if most of the AKR radio lasers occupied the same electron drift an L shell, an arc of 8 km width with a minimum average flux of roughly 10 to the 9th el/sq cm sec. It is believed that this will account for auroral arcs and other aspects of auroral electron precipitation.

Calvert, W.↗