SC Project
Space Communications
The goal of the SC Project is to:
Enable broad, continuous presence and coverage for high rate data delivery from ground-, air-, and space-based assets directly to the users.
The SC Project is focused on creating breakthrough products in communications, networks, and information technologies for future NASA missions. These aeronautics, near-Earth, and deep-space missions will require innovative solutions to meet NASA's unique challenges. Factors such as human safety, massive data flow, high-speed maneuvering vehicles, extreme environments, and interplanetary distances must all be considered. For example, communications links to scientific instruments such as planetary rovers and microprobes must be able to withstand temperature extremes ranging from very hot to very cold in a short timeframe. The implementation of such architectures will require revolutionary communications and networking technologies.
Key Project Areas:
- Intelligent Communication Architectures - Develop intelligent, autonomous communication technologies that allow "anytime/anywhere" operations and deliver information from space directly to users.
- High Rate Backbone Network - Develop advanced communication technologies that substantially increase data while reducing costs.
- Flexible Access Network - Develop flexible, reconfigurable networks to allow communications among NASA's in-space or ground resources.
- Inter-spacecraft Cooperative Network - Create hardware, software, and networks for communication among future NASA spacecraft.
- Proximity Wireless Network - Develop ultra-energy-efficient, reliable, miniaturized wireless network technologies for robotic missions.
