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An Augmented Ground Station Architecture for Spacecraft-Initiated Communication Service RequestsSpacecraft performing science and exploration missions have increasingly complex and event-driven objectives, making communication needs difficult to predict in advance. Additional flexibility is required in space communication provider networks to effectively meet time-varying demand. We envision a framework for automated resource allocation in which requests for communications service are initiated by spacecraft based on current mission needs. We propose an augmented ground station configuration featuring a wide field-of-view antenna to receive transmissions from spacecraft requesting high-rate communications. A software suite to automate the service fulfillment process, including interfacing with external scheduling systems such as NASA’s Near Space Network, is described. Experimental results characterizing the physical-layer link between the wide field-of-view antenna and a software-defined radio testbed on the International Space Station are presented. We also discuss long-duration software testing on a ground-based testbed. Taken together, these proof-of-concept results demonstrate the feasibility of the concept to improve the responsiveness of space communications.
Document ID
20210011312
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Adam Gannon
(Glenn Research Center Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
Constantine Gemelas
(ZIN TECHNOLOGIES INC)
Stephen Paulus
(ZIN TECHNOLOGIES INC)
Dean Schrage
(ZIN TECHNOLOGIES INC)
Larry Vincent
(ZIN TECHNOLOGIES INC)
Christopher Roberts
(Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland, United States)
Date Acquired
March 15, 2021
Subject Category
Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command And Tracking
Report/Patent Number
SpaceOps-2021,8,x1393
Meeting Information
Meeting: 16th International Conference on Space Operations
Location: Virtual
Country: ZA
Start Date: May 3, 2021
End Date: May 5, 2021
Sponsors: International Astronautical Federation
Funding Number(s)
WBS: 553323.04.01.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Technical Review
Single Expert
Keywords
user-initiated service
spacecraft-initiated communications
ground station automation
communications service automation
autocat
scan testbed
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