Articles tagged with Satellite Communications
NASA's GOLD instrument successfully completed its initial power-on test, paving the way for further research into space weather events. The mission aims to improve forecasting models and understand the dynamic intermingling of space and Earth's uppermost atmosphere.
A cross-disciplinary team developed a satellite, Micius, to facilitate secure quantum key distribution globally. The system has achieved significant milestones, including decoy-state QKD with kHz rates over 1200 km distances, demonstrating the potential for an ultra-long-distance global quantum network.
Archaeologists have uncovered a vast, structured surveillance and communication network dating back to the Middle Bronze Age in northern Syria. The network, comprising fortresses, small forts, towers, and enclosures, stretched across approximately 7,000 km2 and was designed to protect urban areas and transport corridors.
A researcher at University of Akron is helping NASA develop smart satellites that can recognize environmental threats and complete tasks automatically. The goal is to reduce the need for real-time predictions and enable more efficient space exploration.
The Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) have provided critical communication services to NASA's missions since the 1980s, increasing global communication coverage to over 99%. The TDRS network will continue to play a vital role in space communications for years to come.
Scientists successfully demonstrated quantum communication between a satellite and a ground station, enabling the development of future satellite constellations. The technology uses lasers for high power efficiency and smaller terminals, facilitating the adoption of quantum key distribution for secure information transmission.
Ground-based measurements of quantum states sent by a laser aboard a satellite demonstrate the feasibility of a satellite-based quantum communication network. This breakthrough could enable an extremely secure way to encrypt data sent over long distances, potentially cutting development time in half.
Researchers have successfully transmitted quantum key distribution signals from a ground transmitter to a moving aircraft, paving the way for global-scale quantum communication. The system achieved secure keys up to 868 kb in length and demonstrated viability of satellite-based quantum communications.
NASA has adopted a 'sneaker depth' method to visualize and communicate water clarity, inspired by Bernie Fowler's data. The algorithm relates satellite measurements of red light reflection to physical measurements of shoe visibility.
The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) project is completing final testing on a new satellite that will extend NASA's Space Network capabilities. The addition of TDRS-M will provide nearly continuous coverage for an additional 15 years.
Photonics may provide solutions to NASA's pressing challenges in future spaceflight, including improved space communications and reducing mission payloads. Laser communications have the potential to increase data rates at least 10 to 100 times better than RF systems.
Researchers have developed a new approach to destroying hazardous space debris using laser impulses. By pushing the debris into the Earth's atmosphere, the debris can be destroyed, posing less of a threat to active communication and navigation satellites used by billions of people on Earth.
The C/NOFS satellite provided comprehensive observations of the ionosphere, improving models to predict satellite trajectories and orbital drag. The data revealed strong interactions between charged particles and neutral particles in the atmosphere, affecting radio wave navigation and communication systems.
The Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission successfully launched a unique formation of four identical spacecraft to study magnetic reconnection, driving space weather events that disrupt Earth's orbit. The Goddard-developed Navigator GPS receiver enabled precise navigation and tracking in weak signal areas.
Researchers at CIFAR have developed a method to compress quantum information into fewer qubits while preserving its content. This breakthrough has significant implications for efficient quantum computing and communication.
Researchers successfully tested a ZigBee wireless sensor network in space, demonstrating the feasibility of using this technology for satellite communication. The experiment achieved remarkable inter-satellite communications over long distances, with theoretical estimates suggesting a range of up to 15.552 km.
The LLCD mission demonstrated error-free communications during broad daylight, operating as well as any NASA radio system. It also showed that wind and atmospheric turbulence did not significantly impact the system, enabling reliable communications through thin clouds.
Scientists from Moscow State University have made significant breakthroughs in generating stable femtosecond pulses and microwave signals using microresonators. These discoveries hold promise for compact and affordable optical pulse generators, critical for applications such as broadband spectroscopy, telecommunications, and astronomy.
The Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) mission aims to demonstrate reliable optical services. It will conduct a two-year demonstration of optical relay services to collect long-term performance data and provide necessary knowledge for future mission-critical systems.
LLCD successfully transmitted data from lunar orbit to Earth at a rate of 622 Mbps, more than six times faster than previous radio systems flown to the moon. The demonstration validated laser communication technology for future space missions.
Researchers at MIT have developed an inflatable antenna that can significantly amplify radio signals, allowing CubeSats to transmit data higher rates and farther. The design uses a sublimating powder to inflate the antenna in space, increasing its communication range seven times compared to existing CubeSats.
The LLCD experiment aims to validate and build confidence in laser communications, allowing for 3-D High Definition video transmissions in deep space. The technology has incredible application possibilities, enabling the transmission of hundreds of millions of bits of data per second from the moon to Earth.
NASA has accepted its newest Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) into the network, replenishing an aging fleet essential for space exploration. The new satellite will provide critical real-time communication support for NASA's human spaceflights, International Space Station activities, and various science missions.
The Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration (LLCD) mission will demonstrate laser communications from lunar orbit to Earth at six times the rate of modern-day radio systems. The system uses a highly reliable infrared laser and sophisticated pointing technology to accurately target ground stations across distances of up to 238,900 miles.
Jeffrey H. Reed, a Chaired Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Virginia Tech, has received the 2012 Forum International Achievement Award for his significant contributions to software-designed radio and cognitive radio.
Scientists with NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) successfully transmitted an image of the Mona Lisa to the spacecraft from Earth using laser pulses. The team achieved simultaneous laser communication and tracking, paving the way for future high-speed data transfer at planetary distances.
The first of three third-generation TDRS satellites is set to launch in December, providing critical communication support for NASA's human spaceflight endeavors and science missions. The new satellite will increase bandwidth and ensure operational continuity for NASA's Space Network.
A wide coronal mass ejection (CME) is traveling at approximately 700 miles per second and expected to reach Earth on September 29. The CME is associated with a small solar flare, classified as C-class, which is not expected to cause significant disruptions to electronic systems.
TDRS-K is scheduled to launch in fall 2012 and will undergo environmental testing before being shipped to the launch site. The satellite's successful completion of this phase will ensure it meets its functional and performance requirements, providing reliable services to NASA's Space Network.
NASA plans to demonstrate a new optical communications system that can transmit high-definition video and data at speeds of tens of gigabits per second. The Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) aims to revolutionize the Agency's communication capabilities, making it possible to stream video from distances beyond the Moon.
The Navy is launching its new joint tactical satellite, TacSat-4, which will bring on-the-go communications to the battlefield. The fourth-generation microsatellite enables warfighters to use handheld radios for mobile communications without downtime.
The newly launched GOES-15 satellite has successfully completed its on-orbit testing and is now operational. It will provide high-resolution images of Earth and track life-threatening weather patterns.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) will honor the winners of AIAA technical and literary achievement awards for their outstanding contributions in space science and technology. The award recipients include Harvey Berger, Michael Gass, STS-125 Team, STPSat-1 Team, Wanda Austin, and J. D. Hunley.
The GEO-PICTURES project combines state-of-the-art satellite communication, navigation, and earth observation to provide accurate optical field observations and tagged position, transferred via satellite-optimized protocols. The platform will be developed in Oslo with several partners and hosted on the CERN campus in Geneva.
The TDRS K-L program has successfully completed its Critical Design Review and Production Readiness Review, paving the way for the assembly of the K and L satellites. The new spacecraft will provide critical communication services to NASA missions, including the International Space Station and Hubble Space Telescope.
A University of Colorado at Boulder undergraduate-designed communications satellite, Hermes, has been chosen to launch into orbit in November as part of NASA's Educational Launch of Nanosatellite initiative. The satellite will test a high data-rate communication system, improving capabilities for tiny satellites.
The TDRS project has received approval to proceed with the implementation phase of its mission, enabling NASA to build more spacecraft needed to support missions. The next milestone is a critical design review scheduled for January 2010, which will examine detailed aspects of the TDRS spacecraft and system.
Calvin B. Cotner, a retired COMSAT World Systems director, has received the 2009 AIAA Aerospace Communications Award for his contributions to advancing Earth station technology. He is being honored for his technical and strategic leadership in guiding international cooperation in satellite communications.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have successfully induced slower cooling of electrons in nanocrystals, a breakthrough that could improve laser devices and photovoltaic technology. This effect is expected to increase bandwidth for communication satellites and lead to more efficient solar power generation.
Virginia Tech's satellite communications research led to the development of wireless technologies used by companies like Direct TV and Globalstar. The university's work also contributed to advancements in cellular communications, smart antenna technologies, and cognitive radios.
Researchers have developed a new temperature-regulating film that can be applied to micro-spacecraft, allowing them to withstand extreme heat and cold in space. This breakthrough technology has the potential to enable cheaper and more efficient satellite launches, opening up new applications for communications and defense.
The UCSD team created a 16-element phased array chip that can transmit at 30-50 GHz, reducing size, weight, and cost. The innovation enables breakthroughs in military sensor and communication systems, as well as commercial terrestrial communications.
A team of engineers from Purdue University and Lockheed Martin Corp. developed a new technique to extend the service life of two communications satellites, saving $60 million for broadcasters. The technique equalizes propellant levels in all four fuel tanks, preventing premature shutdown and waste.
CU-Boulder has signed a $92 million contract with NOAA and NASA to develop a satellite instrument package that will forecast solar disturbances affecting communication and navigation operations in the US. The instrument package, known as EXIS, will consist of X-ray and extreme UV sensors to monitor solar flares and sunlight variation.
The Flat Plasma Spectrometer (FlaPS) is a tiny analyzer developed by Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory to study plasma depletions in the ionosphere. The spectrometer's small size and low power consumption make it ideal for large-scale missions, enabling dozens of instruments to be carried on microsatellites.
A proposed US system to protect satellites from solar storms could disrupt high frequency radio wave transmissions and GPS navigation globally. The 'radiation belt remediation' system may lead to intense HF blackouts around the world, isolating remote communities for up to seven days.
Vanderbilt engineers are working on software to enhance military commanders' communication capabilities using the Global Information Grid. The GIG includes various networks, from internet to satellite communications, and the software aims to integrate these resources effectively.
The European Space Agency's workshop on telemedicine for Africa aimed to demonstrate the relevance of space technology in improving and complementing African health service structures. The event highlighted the need for a comprehensive picture of opportunities for telemedicine via satellite services, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
Jack Wolf, a UCSD professor, has won the IEEE Award for his groundbreaking research on digital information storage and signal processing. His team's work has been incorporated into various communication and storage systems, including satellites, hard disk drives, and cellular phones.
The new Stratospheric Satellites use NASA-developed super-pressure balloons to fly at 110,000 feet and provide 20 times higher resolution surface images of disasters than space-based satellites. With a projected life-cycle cost of $500,000 or less per unit, these satellites are poised to revolutionize disaster monitoring and telecommun...
The U.S. Navy has deployed a mobile communications center to Salt Lake City for the Winter Olympics, offering reliable satellite links and connectivity. The system, developed by the Office of Naval Research, can provide telephone and data connectivity anywhere and even handle streaming video.
Researchers at Hughes Space and Communications have developed a new ion propulsion system that can keep satellites in orbit for up to 25 years, using the inert gas xenon. This innovation reduces the need for frequent fuel replacements, ensuring reliable signal reception and preventing collisions with neighboring satellites.