Spacecraft Telecommunications

TL;DR

This paper discusses the integration of advanced radio telescopes, like the next-generation Very Large Array, into spacecraft communication systems to enhance mission support and scientific research.

Contribution

It highlights the potential of next-generation radio telescopes to improve spacecraft telemetry, tracking, and scientific observations during deep space missions.

Findings

Next-generation VLA offers high sensitivity for spacecraft communication.

Radio telescopes support critical mission events like planetary landings.

Enhanced ground-based observations complement planetary science objectives.

Abstract

There is a long history of radio telescopes being used to augment the radio antennas regularly used to conduct telemetry, tracking, and command of deep space spacecraft. Radio telescopes are particularly valuable during short-duration mission critical events, such as planetary landings, or when a mission lifetime itself is short, such as a probe into a giant planet's atmosphere. By virtue of its high sensitivity and frequency coverage, the next-generation Very Large Array would be a powerful addition to regular spacecraft ground systems. Further, the science focus of many of these deep-space missions provides a "ground truth" in the solar system that complements other aspects of the ngVLA's science case, such as the formation of planets in proto-planetary disks.