Simulation of Ultra-Long Wavelength interferometer in the Earth orbit and on the lunar surface

TL;DR

This paper uses simulations to analyze the design and performance trade-offs of ultra-long wavelength interferometers in Earth orbit and on the lunar surface, focusing on science, engineering, and data transmission constraints.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive simulation framework for space-based ultra-long wavelength interferometers, including lunar regolith effects and data transmission considerations.

Findings

Lunar regolith adversely affects observations.

Trade-offs between brightness temperature sensitivity and angular resolution are identified.

Data transmission requirements are estimated for both configurations.

Abstract

We present simulations for interferometer arrays in Earth orbit and on the lunar surface to guide the design and optimization of space-based Ultra-Long Wavelength missions, such as those of China's Chang'E program. We choose parameters and present simulations using simulated data to identify inter-dependencies and constraints on science and engineering parameters. A regolith model is created for the lunar surface array simulation, the results show that the lunar regolith will have an undesirable effect on the observation. We estimate data transmission requirement, calculate sensitivities for both cases, and discuss the trade-off between brightness temperature sensitivity and angular resolution for the Earth orbit array case.