NASA Aeronautics and Space Administration SCaN Badri Younes Deputy Associate Administrator NASA Space Communications and Navigation October 2017 www.nasa.gov NASA Official Use Only
Enabling Human Space Exploration and Science Missions Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Serves as the Program Office for all of NASA s space communications activities 24/7 Global Near Earth and Deep Space Communications and Navigation Services 100+ Missions currently Supported by SCaN Develop, operate and manage all NASA space communications capabilities Develop technologies to enable and enhance future mission Manage NASA spectrum; represent NASA on national and international spectrum management forums Develop space communication standards as well as positioning, navigation, and timing policies Represent and negotiate on behalf of NASA on all matters related to space communications
SCaN Assets Spanning the Globe and Future Ka-band Upgrades SN Tracking Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) F10, F11 F13 F6, F12 F9 F7, F8 NEN Ka-band Upgrade NEN Stations - North Pole, Alaska Svalbard, Norway - ASF, Alaska - NOAA, Alaska NEN KSAT Station Norway NEN Upgrade 2 NASA Ka-band Alaska Satellite Facility NEN Station USN, Hawaii GDSCC Goldstone, California GDSCC Goldstone, California DAEP Ka-band Upgrade NEN Station White Sands, NM SN White Sands Complex, New Mexico NEN Wallops Island, Virgina NEN PDL/KUS Launch Range, Florida MDSCC Madrid, Spain MDSCC Madrid, Spain DAEP Ka-band Upgrade NEN SSC Station Kiruna, Sweden NEN Station Weilheim, Germany NEN KSAT Station Singapore SN Guam Remote Ground Terminal CDSCC Canberra, Australia NEN Station Hartebeesthoek, Africa NEN Station Santiago, Chile NEN Station USN, Dongara Australia CDSCC Canberra, Australia DAEP Ka-band Upgrade NEN Ka-band Upgrade Punta Arenas, Chile NEN KSAT Station TrolSat, Antarctica NEN Station McMurdo, Antarctica
Tracking and Data Relay Satellite Evolution TDRS-K (11) Ka-band TDRS-L (12) Ka-band TDRS-M (13) Ka-band TDRS-A (1) Disposal 2010 Super-Sync TDRS-B TDRS-C (3) TDRS-D (4) Failed to achieve orbit Storage Atlantic Ocean Region Disposal 2012 Atlantic Ocean Region TDRS-E (5) TDRS-F (6) TDRS-G (7) Storage Active Active Pacific Ocean Region Atlantic Ocean Region Indian Ocean Region TDRS-H (8) Ka-band Active Indian Ocean Region TDRS-I (9) Ka-band Active Atlantic Ocean Region TDRS-J (10) Ka-band Active Pacific Ocean Region Active Pacific Ocean Region Active Atlantic Ocean Region Active Pacific Ocean Region TDRS-8 TDRS-7 TDRS-1 TDRS-4 TDRS-13 WSC TDRS-10 TDRS-9 TDRS-11 TDRS-12 TDRS-5 GEO Super Sync TDRS-3 TDRS-6 Atlas IIA Atlas IIA Atlas IIA Atlas V Atlas V Atlas V Jan 2013 Jan 2014 Aug 2017 STS - 6 STS-51L STS-26R STS-29R STS-43 STS-54 STS-70 Jun 2000 Mar 2002 Dec 2002 Third Generation TDRS Apr 1983 Failed Jan 1986 Sep 1988 Mar 1989 Aug 1991 Jan 1993 Jul 1995 Second Generation TDRS First Generation Tracking Data Relay Satellites (TDRS)
Our Vision Fully Connected Interoperable Space Assets Router ATM Switch Optical Links L2 & Lunar Other US Government Agencies (OGAs) NASA/SCaN US Commercial Industry GEO MEO LEO US - OGA Gateways NASA/SCaN Gateways US Commercial Gateways
On-going Development
Wideband Ka-band Breaking Ka-band Interoperability Barriers Technology Development Wide bandwidth Ka-band systems that spans 20 GHz to 40 GHz NASA TDRS Other Government/ Ka-band Relay Satellite NASA TDRS NASA Exploration Mission Next Generation High-throughput Ka-band hardware NASA Mission Commercial Communication Satellite Mission Flexibility Missions would be able to connect to government and commercial networks that best fit their missions needs NASA Ka-band Ground Stations Other Government/ Commercial Ka-band Ground Stations NASA Ka-band Ground Stations Other Government/ Commercial Ka-band Ground Stations
Integrated Radio and Optical Communications (iroc) Combined Ka-band RF and 1550 nanometer optical capability Teletenna Concept Technology Under Development Integrate 3 meter Ka-band reflector with 12.2 centimeter telescope operating at 1550 nanometers Teletenna concept Reconfigurable software defined radio with PSK (RF) and PPM (optical) Beaconless pointing system based on fusion of data sensors Artist rendition User Spacecraft 3 meter Teletenna Mesh Ka-band antenna Mechanically isolated optical system Telescope contributes to RF aperture gain
RF/Optical Hybrid Antenna Under Development Development Status Completed early optical studies with pair of 35cm panels Technology Concept Integrate 8-m optical apertures into a DSN 34m Beam Waveguide antenna Replace inner RF panels with primary spherical mirrors (small loss to RF performance) Fielded second generation focal plane assembly Mount spherical aberration correction optics and receiver package behind RF subreflector Artist rendition Low temperature cryo demonstrated (0.5K at detector)
Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) Missions Status Launch date: 2019 Ka-band and Optical payloads onboard Geostationary satellite Optical Module #2 Vibration Testing Technology demonstration to test Optical Relay capabilities with Ka-band New Optical Ground Stations under development Optical Module #1 Thermal Vacuum Testing SHIM EDU Electrical Integration to Surrogate Plate Modem #1 Vibration Testing
CognitiveNetwork Network Awareness Integrated ground-based weather sensors Dynamic links switched based on predicted performance Automatic routing and fusing of ground data Other Cognitive Technologies Adaptive coding & modulation Self-configured links Reliability-based asset assignment Integration of cognitive security
Concept of Operations
RF Network
RF Network Near Earth DTE
RF Network Near Earth DTE Near Earth Relay
RF Network Near Earth DTE Near Earth Relay Deep Space DTE
Technology Development & Demonstration Timeline Near Earth DTE Technologies 200 Gbps user terminal 200 Gbps low cost ground station Near Earth Relay Technologies 1.244 Gbps GEO relay two ground stations (2019) 1.244 Gbps user terminal (2021) 100 Gbps GEO relay, user & ground station (2023) Second Gen 2019 2019-2021 2022 Deep Space DTE Technologies Space user terminal for 125 Mbps at 40 Mkm range 5 meter Optical Ground Station Technology Terabyte Delivery System: 200 Gbps Demo LCRD: 1.244 Gbps Optical Relay Demo ILLUMA-T on ISS: 1.244 Gbps Relay User Discovery Psyche: 125 Mbps Demo Space technologies based on COTS products CubeSat-sized, low SWaP user terminal User-site installable ground station: eliminates data backhaul Hosted GEO relay payload on AFRL s experimental STPSat-6; based on LADEE technology Routing of optical signals in a hybrid environment (RF/optical) NASA s first frame-layer switch in space LEO satellite acquisition and tracking in a GEO relay system (LCRD) ISS LCRD Earth Deep space optical link Launch on Discovery 2022 mission Five (5) meter Palomar telescope Demonstrations 2019 2019 2021 2022
OperationalTimeline Terabyte Delivery System Near Earth DTE Demonstration LCRD GEO Relay Technology Demonstration ILLUMA-T User Relay Technology Demonstration Discovery Psyche Deep Space Technology Demonstration 2019 2019 2021 2022 Near Earth DTE Operational Services Initially two SCaN operated ground stations; other added incrementally Scheduling Ground data buffering and routing Cognitive algorithms Relay Operational Services Reuses LCRD and adds two more GEO relay node to the network Based on LCRD design Augments near earth DTE network Cognitive networking in operations Operational 2025-2027 2026 2024 Deep Space Operational Services Adds deep space class terminals to the architecture Based on first generation terminals Ready to support missions starting in 2026
NASA Official Use Only Decade of LIGHT https://www.nasa.gov/scan
Backup Slides
Faster 40x more Higher Data Rates 200 Gb/sec Secure 5 Gb/sec S RF (Ku-band) Optical Higher bandwidth enables mission data to be downloaded using shorter contact times decreasing the number of relay terminals and ground sites. Much smaller beam footprints and receiver fields-of-view increased link security. Lighter 50% less Mass SWaP 25% Less Power Consumption RF Comms Payload Flexible Low Cost Ground Systems 100 Gb/sec COTS Based Solution RF (Ku-band) Optical Smaller, lighter, flight communication systems that require less power cost savings for missions. Low-cost-ground segments located at mission sites or data centers lower cost, more direct control, and decreased ground data transport expenses.
Protect our Band Ka-band Spectrum Potential Impact by Other Users World Radio Conference 2019 Agenda Items of Interest to Ka-band AI 1.13 Identification of bands for the future development of IMT - May impact 24.25 to 27.5 GHz band - May impact passive sensors operating in 23.6 to 24 GHz band - IMT Characteristics is conducted under WP 5D - Sharing studies are conducted under Task Ground (TG) 5/1 AI 1.14 Broadband delivered by high-altitude platform stations - May impact 24.25 to 27.5 GHz for Region 2 - Under Working Party (WP) 5C review