New research models concept for data transport using train of satellites

Though the Pony Specific lasted solely a short while within the mid-1800s earlier than being outperformed by the transcontinental telegraph, it impressed an idea for a string of small satellites to move information from Mars to Earth and assist alleviate the info logjam at present occurring within the Deep House Community.

“The Photo voltaic System Pony Specific is a mission idea that goals to enhance the info transmission capabilities of the Deep House Community utilizing the concept of knowledge mules,” stated Robyn Woollands, assistant professor within the Division of Aerospace Engineering on the College of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Woollands described the info mules as small spacecraft that may journey to a remote location, reminiscent of Mars, the place they purchase information in shut vary to the probe’s transmitter, then carry the info again to Earth the place it’s downlinked in shut vary to the receiver. This permits excessive latency and excessive bandwidth communication.

“A community of interplanetary information mules might be established utilizing cycler orbits,” Woollands stated. “After launch, the info mules use their very own low-thrust propulsion system to inject right into a cycler orbit and goal subsequent flybys of Earth and Mars.”

Woollands defined that the trajectories encounter two or extra celestial bodies alongside their path and require a modest quantity of propellant for correction maneuvers. After launch, the info mules use their very own low-thrust propulsion system to inject right into a cycler orbit and goal subsequent flybys of Earth and Mars.

“Throughout the Mars flybys, information is uplinked from spacecraft already working at Mars—on orbit or on the floor—and through Earth flybys information is downlinked again to Earth,” stated Woollands.

She stated her Ph.D. pupil Alex Pascarella developed the instruments to allow the trajectory design and optimization of Earth/Mars cycler orbits for the Photo voltaic System Pony Specific mission.

“We simulate trajectories that make use of low-thrust propulsion and embody a high-fidelity mannequin that comes with the gravity of the Solar, Earth and Mars”, stated Pascarella.

Low-thrust space missions have gotten extra widespread because of the advantages afforded by ion engines, that are extra environment friendly than chemical engines. They’re additionally smaller/lighter which permits for the design of smaller spacecraft that may be launched economically as a secondary payload.

“Our examine revealed that the total data quantity returned through the simulated mission exceeded our objective of 1 Petabit per 12 months,” stated Alex Pascarella, Robyn Woollands’ Ph.D. pupil.

The examine is printed within the journal Acta Astronautica.

Photo voltaic System Pony Specific is a NASA Revolutionary Superior Idea undertaking led by Joshua Vander Hook at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.