JPL Performs First Two-Antenna Uplink Experiment

Deep Space Network antennas, illustrating signals being sent to spacecraft. Image credit: NASA/JPL.

by Staff Writers
Mojave Desert CA (SPX) Mar 23, 2006
For the first time ever, NASA's Deep Space Network has used a pair of smaller antennas to successfully send two simultaneous signals to a spacecraft in deep space that were combined at the spacecraft to yield greater signal power.

Prior to this experiment, only single 34-meter (111- foot) or 70-meter (230-foot) antennas had been used to uplink signals. This is a significant first step for future uplink capabilities using multiple antennas known as arrays.

The recent experiment combined X-band signals from two 34-meter (111-foot) antennas at the Goldstone complex near the Mojave Desert, and transmitted the combined signal to NASA's Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft currently orbiting Mars. The Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft received the combined signal, measured the combined power levels, and verified the predicted power gain, as a result of the combining operation.

The Deep Space Network provides the two-way communications link that guides and controls spacecraft and returns images and other scientific data to Earth. Currently, each Deep Space Network facility has one antenna of 70-meter (230-foot) diameter, between two and seven 34-meter (111-foot) antennas, and one 26-meter (85-foot) antenna. There are three deep-space communications complexes placed approximately 120 degrees apart around the world: at Goldstone in California's Mojave Desert; near Madrid, Spain; and near Canberra, Australia. This configuration ensures that an antenna is always within sight of a given spacecraft, day and night, as Earth rotates.

Although previously downlink arraying has been performed, the lack of a demonstrated ability to perform uplink arraying has limited the potential use of antenna arrays. Antenna arrays have the potential to create an equivalent very large antenna aperture by combining many smaller antennas.

The successful demonstration of uplink arraying is significant because it removes a serious obstacle to moving towards an operational arrayed network for space communications, one that can be used for both uplink and downlink.

Go here for the technical write up on the experiment.

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
Goldstone Complex - NASA JPL Deep Space Network
Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com
Lunar Dreams and more

MARSDAILY

First HiRISE Images From Mars Due Thursday

Tucson AZ (SPX) Mar 21, 2006
The High Resolution Imaging Experiment camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is scheduled to take its first images of the red planet late Thursday night.

NUCLEAR SPACE Could NASA Get To Pluto Faster? Space Expert Says Yes - By Thinking Nuclear NASA plans to send new robot to Jupiter Los Alamos Hopes To Lead New Era Of Nuclear Space Tranportion With Jovian Mission Boeing Selects Leader for Nuclear Space Systems Program	MOON DAILY Students Race To The Future In NASA's Great Moonbuggy Race SMART-1 Tracks Crater Lichtenberg And Young Lunar Basalts Quantum Technique Can Foil Hackers Noah's Ark On The Moon
SPACE TRAVEL European Space Camp In The Land Of The Midnight Sun Space Tourism Lures A Rising Number Of US Entrepreneurs Resisting Radiation NASA And New York City Museum Bring Universe Down To Earth	OUTER PLANETS "Zero G and I Feel Fine" To Pluto And Beyond New Horizons Update: 'Boulder' and 'Baltimore' New Horizons Set For A Comfortable Cruise Out To Jupiter And Pluto Transfer
JOVIAN DREAMS New Red Spot Growing Fast On Jupiter Flow Of High-Pressure Form Of Ice Tells Tales Of Interiors Of Giant Icy Moons NASA Budget Shuts Out Icy Moons Mission University Of Alberta Scientist Offers Clues To Windy Jupiter	VENUSIAN HEAT ESA Wants Amateur Astronomers To Help Venus Express Earth Set For Express Meeting With Venus Venus Express Closing In On Destination TPS Picks 'Postcards From Venus' Winners
SATURN DAILY Three Moons, Rings And A Phantom Saturn Tethys And Pointed Rings Cassini Images A Hazy Titan Rhea And Razor-Thin Rings	TECH SPACE Four More Glonass-M Satellites To Be Constructed In 2006 Satellite Multicasting Improves Educational Information Delivery Radar Altimetry Shows Warming Affecting Polar Glaciers Blue Sky's Iridium Sat System Supports Fossett's Latest Flight Attempt

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement