Wideband
Reliable communications systems are critical to every NASA mission. As the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program works to decommission its near-Earth fleet of Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS), the agency is evaluating the feasibility of employing commercial satellite communications networks for near-Earth operations. The development of wideband terminal technology could allow for interoperability between multiple near-Earth network providers, aiding the agency’s transition towards commercialization.
Quick Facts
Cellphone providers adopted roaming technology long ago, allowing devices to jump from network to network without interrupting service. Wideband terminals will enable similar roaming capabilities for space communications applications.
NASA’s Glenn Research Center completed the first successful test of wideband roaming capabilities in 2021.
NASA has partnered with the Johns Hopkin’s University Applied Physics Laboratory to launch a wideband flight demonstration, called PExT, planned for June 2024.
Over the next decade, NASA missions will transition towards adopting commercial space-based relay services to fulfil their near-Earth communications needs. NASA’s Communications Services Project has partnered with six commercial companies to develop innovative space communications architecture.
Wideband terminals use software defined radios (SDR) to enable waveform change while spacecraft are in-orbit. SDR technology will support the adoption of new and evolving commercial services by missions as they become available in the near-future.
Wideband Technology
Providing interoperability between multiple space network providers.
Wideband terminals are transceivers that operate over both government and commercial Ka-band spectrum allocations. This roaming capability, enabled by wideband technology, can give spacecraft the ability to seamlessly connect to various communications networks, allowing for multi-access points of services, lower latency, and lower costs.
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Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT) Demonstration
Wideband technology will soon be launched into near-Earth orbit.
NASA’s Wideband Terminal Project is collaborating with Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory to test wideband technology on a prototype Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT). Launching in June 2024, PExT mission objectives include demonstrating contact and link management, and forward and return link data flow, with the existing NASA TDRS service as well as three commercial providers.
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Commercialization
NASA is transitioning to commercial infrastructure.
The Space Communications and Navigation program is working to engage commercial services for NASA missions, rather than continuing to build, maintain, and operate its own satellite systems. Existing partnerships and Funded Space Act Agreements are being leveraged to invest in upcoming commercial demonstrations of these services.
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