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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2018

Next Generation Relay Services at Mars via an International Relay Network

Nearly all data acquired by vehicles on the surface of Mars are returned to Earth via Mars orbiters – more than 1.7 terabits so far. Successful communication between the various spacecraft is achieved via the careful implementation of internationally recognized CCSDS telecommunications protocols and the use of planning and coordination services provided by NASA’s Mars Program Office and the Multimission Ground Systems and Services (MGSS) Program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA. This modern Mars relay network has evolved since its inception in 2004 with the addition and loss of several missions, but it has fundamentally remained unchanged. Ground interfaces between the various spacecrafts’ mission operations centers on Earth remain largely unique for each participant, each mission maintains its own interfaces with deep space communications networks (e.g. DSN, ESTRACK), which are similar but still unique; and relay sessions at Mars require careful ground planning, coordination, and implementation. This paper will discuss the existing architecture and consider how several technologies may be applied to the next generation of relay services at Mars. Ultimately, these are expected to lead to the implementation of a delay and disruption tolerant network at Mars, a precursor to becoming a major element in an emerging Solar System Internet.

Edwards, Charles D. Jr↗
DOE OSTI2020

Effect of GPS Manipulation to Traditional and Next Generation Relay Protection

This project’s objective is to test the effect of GPS timing variations on relay protection algorithms to determine vulnerabilities and the associated hazards to the electric grid. This will focus on differential protection which utilizes peer to peer communication between substations to determine if the current is not equivalent. This requires the use of GPS to sync the two substations and can be vulnerable to GPS manipulation. However, the effects of GPS manipulation are not a commonly known risk. Therefore, this LDRD will address the risks of GPS manipulation for such a widely implemented technology. For differential protection a GPS resilient architecture was implemented and tested for differential protective relays through a direct serial fiber connection between the two relays. This allows for one relay to be the master and provide synchronization outside of timestamp for differential protection.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Effect of GPS Manipulation to Traditional and Next Generation Relay Protection (Final Report)

This project’s objective is to test the effect of GPS timing variations on relay protection algorithms to determine vulnerabilities and the associated hazards to the electric grid. This will focus on time domain protection which utilizes traveling waves measured on the transmission lines to detect the fault within a tower span. This requires the use of GPS to sync the two substations and can be vulnerable to GPS manipulation. However, the effects of GPS manipulation are not a commonly known risk. Therefore, this LDRD will address the risks of GPS manipulation for on a new protective relay technology that has the potential to change protective relaying. For time domain protection a GPS resilient architecture was implemented and tested for time domain protective relays through a direct serial fiber connection between the two relays. This allows for one relay to be the master and provide synchronization outside of timestamp for traveling wave protection.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
NASA NTRS2015

The Laser Communications Relay and the Path to the Next Generation Near Earth Relay

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is currently developing the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) as a Path to the Next Generation Near Earth Space Communication Network. The current NASA Space Network or Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System is comprised of a constellation of Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) in geosynchronous orbit and associated ground stations and operation centers. NASA is currently targeting a next generation of relay capability on orbit in the 2025 timeframe.

Laser Communication Relay Demonstration↗
NASA NTRS2018

Optical Relay for Future NASA Geosynchronous Orbiting Satellite for High Data Rate Links to NASA User Missions

NASA is exploring options for its Next Generation Relay (NGR) architecture while the current Tracking Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) completes its mission. The plan is to start implementation of the NGR beginning around 2025. The new system of proposed relay satellites will greatly increase the data rates between low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellite missions and the NASA TDRSS relay satellites. This increase in data rates will allow an unprecedented increase in data throughput from the LEO satellite missions back to the principal investigators (PI). This can be accomplished at Ka-band frequencies with high order modulation or at optical frequencies using Differential Phase Shift Keying (DPSK). The first satellite in the next set of relay satellites will have to be backward compatible with current technology to support ongoing and planned missions. The new set of satellites will be launched over a 10-year period with design lifetimes of at least 15 years. To meet these requirements, we analyzed various architectures and designed both the communication payloads on the relay satellite and candidate payloads on the user spacecraft by utilizing optical heads already designed. From this analysis, a demonstration optical satellite named “the Next Generation Optical Relay Pathfinder” with Ka-band capabilities was proposed to be built and launched with the purpose of evaluating an integrated high-speed optical and Ka-band communication system. Given a cost limit for the demonstration satellite, various satellite configurations were developed by varying the number of optical communication payloads. The communication payload on the relay satellite consisted of three major sub-systems: 1) Optical communication payload, 2) Ka-band communication payload, 3) Digital processing and routing of signals. The size, mass (weight), and power (SWaP) of the communication payload and other sub-systems of the satellite were obtained. The NASA Glenn Research Center COMPASS team designed the Pathfinder satellite and performed a cost analysis for its build and launch. In this paper, we first describe the needs, drivers, and the associated challenges for the Next Generation Optical Relay Pathfinder to be capable of connecting multiple LEO and GEO satellites at high data rates. Second, we detail the concept of operations (ConOps) and the system architecture, including the satellite configurations considered, their attributes and limitations, and the size of the satellite needed for each configuration. Third, we provide a summary of the Next Generation Optical Relay Pathfinder satellite design trades and its key elements. Finally, we present the path needed for implementation and operations.

Warner, Joseph H. D.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Implementation of a Relay Coordination System for the Mars Network

Mars network relay operations involve the coordination of lander and orbiter teams through long-term and short-term planning, tactical changes and post-pass analysis. Much of this coordination is managed through email traffic and point-to-point file data exchanges. It is often difficult to construct a complete and accurate picture of the relay situation at any given moment, as there is no centralized store of correlated relay data. The Mars Relay Operations Service (MaROS) is being implemented to address the problem of relay coordination for current and next-generation relay missions. The service is provided for the purpose of coordinating communications sessions between landed spacecraft assets and orbiting spacecraft assets at Mars. The service centralizes a set of functions previously distributed across multiple spacecraft operations teams, and as such greatly improves visibility into the end-to-end strategic coordination process. Most of the process revolves around the scheduling of communications sessions between the spacecraft during periods of time when a landed asset on Mars is geometrically visible by an orbiting spacecraft. These "relay" sessions are used to transfer data both to and from the landed asset via the orbiting asset on behalf of Earth-based spacecraft operators. This paper will discuss the relay coordination problem space, overview the architecture and design selected to meet system requirements, and describe the first phase of system implementation

Allard, Daniel A.↗
NASA NTRS2019

NASA's Next Generation Optical Communications Relay

NASA's Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program is creating an operational optical communications network to complement its current radio frequency (RF) networks. NASA is currently planning for a new optical communications relay node in geostationary (GEO) orbit to be commissioned in 2025, developed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), as evolved from Goddard's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) GEO relay payload that will launch in 2019. The Next Generation optical relay node will serve as an initial element in a larger optical networking constellation that will consist of Government and commercial, and international relays. NASA's nodes will aggregate traffic at data rates of up to 10 Gigabits per second (Gbps) from users on the Earth's surface and up through suborbital, LEO, MEO, GEO, cislunar and even out to Earth-Sun Lagrange (1.25 Mkm) distances. Users that require low-latency will be serviced with an onboard complementary Ka-band downlink service. The next generation network will deploy > 100 Gbps space-to-ground links and also optical crosslinks between nodes to allow for user traffic backhaul to minimize ground station location constraints.

Israel, David↗
NASA NTRS2018

How Public Private Partnerships Enable NASA Future Space Communication Needs

The NASA Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Program is responsible for providing communication and navigation services to scientific and human space exploration missions. SCaN's current Space Network provides radio frequency (RF) relay services to near Earth space missions via Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS). SCaN plans to offer a new generation of relay services beginning in 2025, including the addition of optical communications capabilities and enhanced RF capabilities. The primary drivers behind the development of these next generation relay network services are to enhance communication and navigation services with significantly reduced development and operational costs. Several approaches being considered for implementation of these services are through government owned capabilities, through commercial service providers, or a combination of the two. One approach receiving a great deal of attention is the use of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to develop and provide capabilities or services. Utilizing Public-Private Partnerships allows NASA and commercial entities to share the investment, standards, and risks of developing and testing new or enhanced capabilities which can benefit both NASA and the commercial space communication industry. The capabilities developed under the PPP can then be used to support the growth of the commercial satellite communications industry while simultaneously being introduced into NASA operations to provide service to future NASA missions as part of the NASA Next Generation Architecture. Partnerships formed for this purpose can also serve as the basis for further NASA acquisition activities where government and industry can continue to share the cost, risk, and benefits of space communications capability development and operations. This objective is consistent with the 2010 National Space Policy stated principles: "The United States is committed to encouraging and facilitating the growth of a U.S. commercial space sector that supports U.S. needs, is globally competitive, and advances U.S. leadership in the generation of new markets and innovation-driven entrepreneurship." [1]NASA has conducted several internal studies as well as externally funded studies with industry to define the next generation space communication architecture. NASA has approached the commercial industry through a Request for Information (RFI) to define further the next generation architecture and has conducted numerous internal and external studies. The results are promising and are shaping the approach to utilize Public Private Partnership to achieve NASA's objectives while reducing costs. The commercial satellite industry has begun to deploy high performance, high throughput global satellite constellations which have the potential to provide communication services to NASA Missions. Commercial satellite manufacturers have advanced their processes to rapidly design, build, and deliver, reliable communication satellites using minimum government oversight. In this paper, we will 1) describe the NASA Next Generation Architecture, Concept of Operations (ConOps), and salient characteristics; 2) Discuss the rational of Public-Private Partnerships to achieve NASA’s next generation communication architecture; and 3) Summarize the preliminary analysis performed to date and describe the path forward.

Stegeman, James↗
NASA NTRS2021

A Dedicated Relay Network to Enable the Future of Mars Exploration

A highly successful international collaboration, the “Mars Relay Network” (MRN) leverages the combined NASA and ESA orbiter capabilities to transfer data to and from Mars surface missions. The MRN has admirably flight-demonstrated the benefits of a relay network and validated how international protocol standards may be used to ensure interoperability. However, principally designed for science missions, these orbiters addressed relay requirements as a secondary function, which introduced limitations to what can be achieved with the network. Next-decade missions are expected to have significantly greater communication needs than can be accommodated by the aging MRN. This paper reports the results of a broad study that evaluated the potential of a next-generation relay network, referencing the current MRN as a benchmark. A wide variety of orbital altitudes, surface latitudes, and mission scenarios were evaluated around a specific set of assumptions regarding the telecommunications payloads included. The study outlined how current day technologies could be applied to greatly enhance the data throughput to and from Mars on behalf of future science and reconnaissance missions. The instantiation of such a network would be enabling for a variety of missions and mission classes that have been heretofore unachievable, including both large and small orbiters, and landed vehicles representing new mission types (i.e. climbers, diggers, drones, etc.), and further argues that such a network would be instrumental in advancing human exploration interests at Mars.

Davis, Richard M.↗
NASA NTRS1996

NASA's next generation tracking and data relay satellite system (TDRSS): Launch and operational ground segment architecture

The next generation's tracking and data relay satellite system (TDRSS) spacecraft currently under development for user support into the next century, is reported. Modifications will be made to the TDRSS ground terminals required for user support, the control of the TDRSS and the support of transfer orbit operations. The modifications will be made while ensuring compatibility with the present generation of TDRSS. The capabilities of the new spacecraft are described and compared with those of the existing generation. The architecture of the modified ground terminals and that of a new terminal, are detailed.

Miller, Ronald A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The Advanced Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (ATDRSS) - The next generation

The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) is currently in operation and is providing support to users. This paper describes a candidate satellite configuration which will continue system operation when the current satellite fleet is expended in the 1996 to 1997 time frame. The new system is intended to meet the growth in space network user population and service needs expected through approximately 2010. It is believed that the candidate architecture described will lead to a low-risk evolution from the TDRS architecture used prior to implementation of the ATDRS. NASA is using the architecture described herein as a reference, but has not selected an implementation architecture for the ATDRS system. This selection will be made when an implementing contractor is chosen and will be based on reducing life cycle costs and the ability to meet mission needs.

Brandel, Daniel↗
NASA NTRS1989

The advanced tracking and data relay satellite system - The next generation

NASA is currently performing cost and feasibility studies for the next generation of TDRSS spacecraft. These spacecraft are needed to replenish the current generation of spacecraft and will be available in the 1997 time frame. The next generation of NASA satellites will perform tracking and data relay functions well into the next century. The challenge facing NASA is to provide new services in an evolutionary way without disrupting services provided to current users. Furthermore, these new services must be carefully coordinated with other similar international data relay activities to facilitate efficient and cost effective operation and to avoid interference. This orderly evolution requires careful planning and coordination. This paper describes the reference architecture and the new services under consideration by NASA including data rates and selected frequencies of operation. The paper also describes the planned implementation schedule and defines the evolutionary process from the current TDRSS system through the Space Station Freedom era and the implementation of the Advanced TDRSS.

Brandel, Daniel↗
NASA NTRS2019

NASA's Next Generation ≥100 Gbps Optical Communications Relay

NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program is creating an operational optical communications network to complement its current radio frequency (RF) networks. NASA is currently planning for a new optical communications relay node in geostationary (GEO) orbit to be commissioned in 2025, developed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), as evolved from Goddard’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) GEO relay payload that will launch in 2019. The Next Generation optical relay node will serve as an initial element in a larger optical networking constellation that will consist of Government and commercial, and international relays. NASA’s nodes will aggregate traffic at data rates of up to 10 Gigabits per second (Gbps) from users on the Earth’s surface and up through suborbital, LEO, MEO, GEO, cislunar and even out to Earth-Sun Lagrange (1.25 Mkm) distances. Users that require low-latency will be serviced with an onboard complementary Ka-band downlink service. The next generation network will deploy ≥ 100 Gbps space-to-ground links and also optical crosslinks between nodes to allow for user traffic backhaul to minimize ground station location constraints.

Park, Elizabeth A.↗