Radio science techniques for deep space exploration /
Sami W. Asmar, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California.
- 1 online resource : color illustrations.
- Deep space communications and navigation series. .
- Deep-space communications and navigation series. .
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of Contents
Foreword xi
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xv
Author and Contributors xvii
1 Investigations and Techniques 1
1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 Historical Background 2
1.1.1 The Field of Radio Science 3
1.2 Fundamental Concepts 5
1.2.1 Categories of RS Investigations 10
1.2.2 Related Fields 12
1.3 Historical Development 14
1.4 Overview of the Radio Science Instrumentation System 18
1.4.1 Flight System 23
1.4.2 Ground System 24
1.4.3 Other Ground Stations 26
1.5 Noise, Error Sources, and Calibrations 26
1.6 Experiment Implementation, Data Archiving, and Critical Mission Support 29
1.7 Radio Science at Home 30
1.8 Future Directions 32
1.9 Summary and Remaining Chapters 32
Appendix 1A Selected Accomplishments and Planned Observations in Spacecraft Radio Science 35
Appendix 5A Spacecraft Telecommunications System and Radio Science Flight Instrument for Several Deep Space Missions 227
6 Future Directions in Radio Science Investigations and Technologies 231
6.1 Fundamental Questions toward a Future Exploration Roadmap 231
6.1.1 Fundamental Questions about the Utility of RS Techniques 232
6.1.2 Possible Triggers for Specific Innovations for Future Investigations 233
6.1.3 Possible Synergies with Other Fields 233
6.1.4 Examining Relevant Methodologies 234
6.2 Science-Enabling Technologies: Constellations of Small Spacecraft 235
6.2.1 Constellations for Investigations of Atmospheric Structure and Dynamics 236
6.2.2 Constellations for Investigations of Interior Structure and Dynamics 238
6.2.3 Constellations for Simultaneous and Differential Measurements 239
6.2.4 Constellations of Entry Probes and Atmospheric Vehicles 240
6.2.5 Constellations for Investigations of Planetary Surface 241
6.3 Science-enabling via Optical Links 243
6.4 Science-enabling Calibration Techniques 243
6.4.1 Earth’s Troposphere Water Vapor Radiometry 244
6.4.2 Antenna Mechanical Noise 244
6.4.3 Advanced Ranging 245
6.5 Summary 246
Appendix 6A The National Academies Planetary Science Decadal Survey, Radio Science Contribution, 2009: Planetary Radio Science: Investigations of Interiors, Surfaces, Atmospheres, Rings, and Environments 247
6A.1 Summary 248
6A.2 Background 248
6A.3 Historical Opportunities and Discoveries 249
6A.4 Recent Opportunities and Discoveries 249
6A.5 Future Opportunities 250
6A.6 Technological Advances in Flight Instrumentation 252
6A.7 The Future of Flight Instrumentation 253
6A.7.1 Crosslink Radio Science 253
6A.7.2 Ka-band Transponders and Other Instrumentation 254
6A.8 Ground Instrumentation 254
6A.8.1 NASA’s Deep Space Network 254
6A.8.2 Other Facilities 254
6A.9 New Communications Architectures: Arrays and Optical Links 255
6A.10 Conclusion and Goals 255
Appendix 6B The National Academies Planetary Science Decadal Survey, Radio Science Contribution: Solar System Interiors, Atmospheres, and Surfaces Investigations via Radio Links: Goals for the Next Decade 257
6B.1 Summary 258
6B.2 Current Status of RS Investigations 259
6B.3 Key Science Goals for the Next Decade 260
6B.4 Radio Science Techniques for Achieving the Science Goals of the Next Decade 262
6B.5 Technology Development Needed in the Next Decade 263
References 267
Acronyms and Abbreviations 311
Index 331
"Radio signals are used to communicate information between robotic space missions throughout the solar system and stations on Earth. These signals are altered in their electromagnetic properties between transmission and reception due to propagation effects caused primarily by intervening media as well as forces acting on the spacecraft. When observed for their scientific potential, such alternations can provide very valuable information about the nature and environment of the planetary bodies or solar system targets under exploration. This also applies to signals transmitted from one spacecraft and received at another, in the case of multi-spacecraft missions. The media that the radio links propagate through include planetary atmospheres, ionospheres, rings, plasma tori, cometary material, or the solar corona. The Doppler shift to the frequency of the signals caused by the relative motion between the spacecraft and ground stations, or any transmitter-receiver combination, can contain scientific information about the gravitational forces acting on the spacecraft resulting from the bulk mass, density distribution, and global interior structure of the planets or moons, among other effects"--
About the Author
SAMI ASMAR is Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Mission Formulation at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and over three decades has become an expert in the field of radio science. He has held positions such as science co‐investigator as well as engineering and technology developer and manager. He lead the writing team of the Cassini Radio Science Users Guide, a published document on the data usage from the most complex planetary mission to date. His recognitions include three NASA exceptional achievement awards and other prestigious international awards and appointments.