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The Deep Space Network

This report presents DSN progress in flight project support, tracking and data acquisition (TDA) research and technology, network engineering, hardware and software implementation, and operations. Each issue presents material in some, but not all, of the following categories in the order indicated. - Description of the DSN - Mission Support Ongoing Planetary/Interplanetary Flight Projects Advanced Flight Projects - Radio Science - Special Projects - Supporting Research and Technology Tracking and Ground-Based Navigation Communications--Spacecraft/Ground Station Control and Operations Technology Network Control and Data Processing - Network and Facility Engineering and Implementation Network Network Operations Control Center Ground Communications Deep Space Stations - Operations Network Operations Network Operations Control Center Ground Communications Deep Space Stations - Program Planning TDA Planning Quality Assurance In each issue, the part entitled "Description of the DSN" describes the functions and facilities of the DSN and may report the current configuration of one of the five DSN systems (Tracking, Telemetry, Command, Monitor & Control, and Test & Training). The work described in this report series is either performed or managed by the Tracking and Data Acquisition organization of JPL for NASA.

Tracking and Data Acquisition organization↗

Evaluation of the spatial and temporal measurement requirements of remote sensors for monitoring regional air pollution episodes

The spatial and temporal measurement requirements of satellite sensors for monitoring regional air pollution episodes were evaluated. Use was made of two sets of data from the Sulfate Regional Experiment (SURE), which provided the first ground-based aerosol measurements from a regional-scale station network. The sulfate data were analyzed for two air pollution episode cases. The results of the analysis indicate that the key considerations required for episode mapping from satellite sensors are the following: (1) detection of sulfate levels exceeding 20 micron-g/cu m; (2) capability to view a broad area (of the order of 1500 km swath) because of regional extent of pollution episodes; (3) spatial resolution sufficient to detect variations in sulfate levels of greater than 10 micron-g/cu m over distances of the order of 50 to 75 km; (4) repeat coverage at least on a daily basis; and (5) satellite observations during the mid to late morning local time, when the sulfate levels have begun to increase after the early morning minimum levels, and convective-type cloud cover has not yet increased to the amount reached later in the afternoon. Analysis of the satellite imagery shows that convective clouds can obscure haze patterns. Additional parameters based on spectral analysis include wavelength and bandwidth requirements.

Burke, H. H. K.↗

The Telecommunications and Data Aquisition Report

Tracking and ground-based navigation techniques are discussed in relation to DSN advanced systems. Network data processing and productivity are studied to improve management planning methods. Project activities for upgrading DSN facilities are presented.

Posner, E. C.↗

The Telecommunications and Data Acquisition Report

Archival reports on developments in programs managed by JPL's office of Telecommunications and Data Acquisition (TDA) are presented. In space communications, radio navigation, radio science, and ground-based radio astronomy, it reports on activities of the Deep Space Network (DSN) and its associated Ground Communications Facility (GCF) in planning, in supporting research and technology, in implementation, and in operations.

E. C. Posner↗

The Telecommunications and Data Acquisition Report

This quarterly publication provides archival reports on developments in programs managed by JPL's Office of Telecommunications and Data Acquisition (TDA). In space communications, radio navigation, radio science, and ground-based radio and radar astronomy, it reports on activities of the Deep Space Network (DSN) in planning, supporting research and technology, implementation, and operations. Also included are standards activity at JPL for space data and information systems and reimbursable DSN work performed for other space agencies through NASA. The preceding work is all performed for NASA's Office of Space Communications (OSC). The TDA Office also performs work funded by another NASA program office through and with the cooperation of OSC. This is the Orbital Debris Radar Program with tile Office of Space Systems Development. The TDA Office is directly involved in several tasks that directly support the Office of Space Science (OSS), with OSC funding DSN operational support. In radio science, The TDA Progress Report describes the spacecraft radio science program conducted using tile DSN. For the High-Resolution Microwave Survey (HRMS), the report covers implementation and operations for searching the microwave spectrum. In solar system radar, it reports on the uses of the Goldstone Solar System Radar for scientific exploration of the planets, their rings and satellites, asteroids, and comets. In radio astronomy, the areas off support include spectroscopy, very long baseline interferometry, and astrometry.

Edward C Posner↗

Solar environment support for Skylab

Solar support for the ATM PIs (Apollo Telescope Mount Principle Investigators) and NASA was provided by NOAA's real-time data network through the NOAA-SOLAR facility in the ATM Science Support Room at Mission Control in Houston, Tex. Support was in the form of solar data - e.g., ground-based photographs of H-alpha (hydrogen-alpha), calcium, and magnetograms; voice/teletype reports of activity; analysis and forecasts; and assistance to the PIs and NASA as needed. This required establishing a communication system to a worldwide network of observatories, acquiring data transmission and dissemination equipment, and developing techniques to improve ATM related forecasts. This support began about one month before the first launch of the Skylab series and continued until splashdown of the last mission.

Hirman, J. W.↗

Detection of regional air pollution episodes utilizing satellite data in the visual range

A comparative analysis of satellite-observed haze patterns and ground-based aerosol measurements is carried out for July 20-23, 1978. During this period, a significant regional air pollution episode existed across the northeastern United States, accompanied by widespread haze, reduced surface visibility, and elevated sulfate levels measured by the Sulfate Regional Experiment (SURE) network. The results show that the satellite-observed haze patterns correlate closely with the area of reported low surface visibility (less than 4 mi) and high sulfate levels. Quantitative information on total aerosol loading derived from the satellite-digitized data, using an atmospheric radiative transfer model, agrees well with the results obtained from the ground-based measurements.

Bowley, C. J.↗

Data management for Large Space Telescope

The data management system for the Large Space Telescope (LST) must be capable of meeting requirements of 160 million bits per 95 min orbit with a bit error rate of less than 0.00001 for data. The system will be supported by the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System of the Space Tracking and Data Network. The on-board system includes a general purpose computer that controls the vehicle as a stable observation platform and the array of instruments used for data collection. The ground-based system comprises a Mission Operations Center (MOC), a Science Institute where instrument data is processed, and a communications service for the space and point-to-point data flow. The allocation of hardware and software between on-board and ground-based components to achieve design objectives of maximum flexibility at minimum cost is discussed.

Hope, G. R., Jr.↗

A three-component model of the variability of the solar ultraviolet flux 145-200 nM

The variability of the ultraviolet flux between 145 and 200 nm over both the eleven-year cycle and the 27-day solar rotation period is examined in terms of chromospheric activity, as determined from ground-based observations of the CaII K chromosphere. A three-component model of the solar UV flux is developed which includes the contributions to the full disk flux from both plage and active network emission. Solar cycle and solar rotation variations derived from the model are compared with the results of satellite and rocket experiments and with the two-component model of Cook et al (1980). Finally, possible ways of improving the model are discussed.

Lean, J. L.↗

Synopsis of D- and E-region electron densities during the energy budget campaign

Electron density profiles from ground-based and rocket-borne measurements conducted at three sites in northern Scandinavia under various degrees of geophysical disturbances are presented. These data are checked against an instantaneous picture of the ionospheric absorption obtained via the dense riometer network. A map of the riometer absorption and measured electron densities over Scandinavia is given.

Friedrich, M.↗

Capabilities and limitations of existing MST radars: Colorado wind profilers

The Wave Propagation Laboratory is developing a ground-based remote sensing system called PROFILER to measure troposphere parameters currently measured in operational meteorology by radiosondes. The prototype PROFILER uses two radars for wind sounding: a 6-m radar located at Platteville, Colorado, and a 33-cm radar located at Denver's Stapleton International Airport. In addition, a network of three 6-m wind-profiling radars is being installed in Colorado, and a fourth site is planned. The location of the five radars, their characteristics, and their limitations are described.

Strauch, R. G.↗

ISEE-3/ICE navigation analysis

Efforts to assure communications continuity and navigational accuracy for the ISEE-3 (now called the International Cometary Explorer - ICE) spacecraft as it heads toward a passage through the Giacobini-Zimmer (G-Z) comet tail are reviewed. Sufficient energy was gained with a series of lunar swingbys to take the rendezvous attempt possible. Communications will be by an S-band link though the upgraded Deep Space Network. The G-Z encounter is scheduled for September 1983. A 512 bps data rate will be supported by 64-3 m dishes at various global sites. The tracking will continue for 6 mos as the spacecraft moves into an orbit that parallels that of Halley's Comet. Ground-based recovery of the G-Z location in the spring of 1984 provided data for calculating the ephemerides required for configuring a major course correction for ICE 100 days before rendezvous.

Efron, L.↗

An intercomparison of ground-based total ozone instruments

Five ground-based total ozone spectrophotometers were intercompared at Wallops Island, VA between October 1979 and January 1981. The tests were conducted to evaluate the stability and accuracy of each instrument over an extended time period. Acceptable performance regarding these two characteristics is essential if an instrument is to be useful in field measurements and network monitoring of the atmospheric total ozone content. The Dobson spectrophotometer was used as the standard of comparison for the Brewer grating spectrophotometer, the USSR M-83 ozonometer, the Canterbury filter photometer, and the SenTran filter photometer. The grating instrument was found to be potentially the equal of the Dobson but was subject to unreliable performance by its rather sophisticated electronic components. The filter photometers performed acceptably for short periods but filter aging and eventual degradation rendered both units unusable before the end of the intercomparison. Finally, the M-83 results were found to be in acceptable agreement with the Dobson throughout the period when certain qualifications are invoked. The accuracy of a single M-83 ozone measurement may be low. Averages tend to improve its agreement with the Dobson.

Parsons, C. L.↗

Enabling Interoperability in Earth System Digital Twins (ESDT): Integrating Observations, Models, and AI for Actionable Insights Through NASA'S Intelligent Systems Technology Program

NASA’s Intelligent Systems Technology Program (IST) is driving a paradigm shift in Earth science through the development of Earth System Digital Twins (ESDT). These integrated information systems create a dynamic "digital replica" of the Earth by harmonizing continuous, multi-source observations with high-fidelity models and state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) that enable “What now?”, “What next?”, and “What if?” scenario building. These scenarios are reflected in NASA IST’s series of ESDTs, from the Coastal Zone Digital Twin that integrates complex data on the current state of the Chesapeake Bay to the Terrestrial Environmental Rapid-Replication and Assimilation Hydrometeorological (TerraHydro) AI-based ESDT that forecasts water movement across Earth’s surface, to the Agriculture Land Information System (AgLIS) which can be used to assess optimal planting dates and crop yield estimates. By bridging the gap between vast data archives and actionable insights, these projects enable a system-of-systems approach to understanding complex, interacting Earth processes. This poster will highlight recent innovations and future directions from NASA’s ESDT initiatives: Continuous Data Assimilation & Multi-Source Fusion. A core requirement of the ESDT work is the transition from static models to dynamic "living" replicas. This involves creating frameworks for the continual assimilation of near-real-time data from uncoordinated, heterogeneous sources, including satellite observations and airborne assets, and ground-based Internet of Things (IoT) sensors. These systems link design, operational status, and environmental data, ensuring the digital twin accurately reflects the current state of the physical Earth system. High-Fidelity Hybrid Modeling & Computational Acceleration to enable interactive "what-if" explorations, programs are moving beyond traditional, slow physical solvers by developing fast surrogate machine learning models and Deep Generative Models (DGMs). These hybrid approaches use neural networks to emulate complex physics, such as cloud feedback or ocean dynamics, at a fraction of the original computing cost, often leveraging advanced hardware like Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) to achieve the necessary scale. Federated Ecosystems & Interoperable Frameworks rather than building isolated tools, NASA IST is moving toward federated ESDTs and reusable analytic collaborative frameworks. This theme focuses on interoperability standards and common ontologies that allow specialized digital twins to interact and share data. This system-of-systems architecture supports multi-discipline investigations, such as analyzing how upstream watershed changes impact downstream urban flooding or how wildfire emissions affect regional air quality. By leveraging these advancements, ESDTs empower researchers and decision-makers to conduct real-time analysis and run complex hypothetical scenarios, ultimately improving our understanding of Earth’s evolving systems and informing critical real-world applications.

Earth System↗

Lessons learned from a decade of international space cooperation.

A case history of the Alouette/ISIS series is presented, giving attention to aspects of U.S.-Canadian cooperation in this program. The project is only one example of a broad network of international cooperative relationships established by NASA over the past decade. Participation by other countries in important space science and applications projects is not limited to those providing flight hardware or conducting flight observations. Much valuable work is done on the ground, ranging from analysis in the laboratories of samples returned from the moon to correlated ground-based reception and analysis of radio beacon signals from satellites. It was found that cooperation is more likely to proceed smoothly and produce beneficial results if it is focused on projects that are clearly defined and agreed on in advance.

Barnes, R. J. H.↗

The Telecommunications and Data Acquisition Report

Tracking and ground-based navigation; communications, spacecraft-ground; station control and system technology; capabilities for new projects; networks consolidation program; and network sustaining are described.

Posner, E. C.↗

The structure of a microburst - As observed by ground-based and airborne Doppler radar

Attention is given to the microburst observed near Denver, CO, on June 29, 1982, in the course of the Joint Airport Weather Study (JAWS). The JAWS ground radar network was specifically established to furnish high spatial and temporal resolution multiple Doppler data for microburst observations. The data, which were collected from directly above the microburst, permitted direct measurements of vertical velocities to be made. P-3 surveillance aircraft Doppler data was also available for this microburst, whose considerable complexity is noted.

Mueller, C. K.↗

Preliminary Assessment of the Impact on the V-Band Oxygen Channels From Satellite Communication Uplinks

We calculate the percentage of time that an ATMS-like instrument [1] will be illuminated by the uplink beam of one of the proposed V-band communication system and estimate the damage resulting from such exposure. Using a combination of openly available information and educated guesses about the location and characteristics of the up/down link terminals, we constructed the ground segment of a hypothetical high-speed communication network. The space segment of the network was constructed from the orbital data of the existing Starlink constellation [2] of 6223 communication satellites (comsats) which is used as strawman to represent any other possible constellation of communication satellites. It is shown that without a very delicate balance of frequency allocations (science vs telecommunications), coupled with extremely steep and deep bandpass-defining filters, and strict adherence to the agreed limits (i.e. no out-of-band transmissions) the deployment of the telecommunication network leads to almost-complete loss of some important geophysical data. For the analysis we use the spectral characteristics of the ATMS instrument with the ephemeris for the NOAA-21 satellite [3]. The analysis is conducted for the USA and the simulation covers 8 consecutive days in July 2024. Effective and accurate microwave remote sensing of the atmosphere depends on the availability of interference-free spectrum windows at frequencies which are prescribed by physical processes [e.g. 4]. The family of resonant lines of the oxygen molecule near 60 GHz provides a unique opportunity to sample the vertical distribution of temperature and density from space, and it has been exploited for weather and climate studies from polar-orbiting satellites since 1978 (MSU on TIROS-N [5]). It remains a staple in the payloads operated by Russia, China, USA, Japan, France, India, UK, Ukraine [6] which are built around a common blueprint: a few wide-band (hundreds of MHz) channels around 50 GHz to sample the atmosphere and the surface while several more channels with high spectral resolution (few MHz) sample the individual resonant lines. Accurate retrieval of the environmental parameters depends upon the data provided by both sets of channels, and the their location in frequency space is not arbitrary and cannot be altered at will [7, 8]. The introduction of 5G technology in 2019 has driven telecommunication companies to request more bandwidth to be dedicated to their devices. This additional bandwidth is only available in spectral regions traditionally reserved for environmental and astrophysical research, such as the V-band between 50 and 60 GHz for up/downlink between satellites in low-earth orbits and terminals connected to fiberoptics network for distribution to high-speed local internet services. The power broadcast by the uplink communication leg is many orders of magnitude greater than the natural thermal signal emitted from the Earth scene. If the ground antenna were to perfectly align with the passive instrument’s antenna, the spaceborne receiver would suffer permanent, irreparable damage. While a direct boresight-to-boresight conjunction is extremely unlikely (even with a large constellation of satellites the fraction of the celestial sphere occupied by the satellites remains minuscule) the finite size of the ground station’s antenna beam in the sky suggests that the ATMS will be in the near background (as seen from the ground station) of one of the communication satellites and will be illuminated by either the main lobe or the near sidelobes of the uplink antenna more often than it is desirable. For our analysis we first calculate the position of the ATMS with respect to each of the ground stations at a resolution of 0.2 sec, then calculate the position of each of the comsats which are at least 25 deg above the station’s local horizon; finally we calculate the angle between the line-of-sight of the ATMS and the line-of-sight of the comsat. We assume that the gain pattern of the ground station is circularly symmetric; the angle-off-station-boresight then provides an attenuation of the uplink power which we use to assess the likely effect upon the passive instrument’s operations. We assume that each ground station can communicate with all the comsats in its field of view; this implies that, on average, a ground station can engage with 46 comsats simultaneously. The analysis is repeated for the case when the uplink broadcast within the ATMS passive channels (in-band scenario) and for the case when the uplink is limited to frequencies adjacent to the ATMS channels (out-of-band scenario). The antenna of the ground station is modelled as having a HPBW (Half-Power Beam Width) of 0.16 deg and EIRP (Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power) of 70 dBW. We account for the geometric dissipation of the signal caused by the satellite orbital altitude, the attenuation induced by atmospheric gasses at 51 GHz and the mismatch between the circular polarization of the ground-based transmitting antenna and the linear polarization of the satellite-borne receiving antenna. The damages on ATMS are estimated from bench-level measurement conducted at the ATMS’ manufacturer facilities [unpublished].

passive microwave↗