Kevin Bhasin NASA INSPIRE Intern Systems Networking and Architecture Project

1. Altair Lunar Lander: Design and Analysis of Communication System Kevin Bhasin NASA INSPIRE Intern Systems Networking and Architecture Project Mentor: Joseph Warner July x, 2009 SCaN Systems and Networks Architecture Project (SNAP) Glenn Research Center

2. Outline • What is the current suggested plan for putting man back on the moon? • What is the communication network architecture needed for a lunar sortie mission? • What are the communication links required for Altair, a Lander with astronauts? • How did I design a communications payload for the Altair lunar Lander to enable the lunar sortie mission? SCaN Systems and Networks Architecture Project (SNAP) Glenn Research Center

3. Project objective and goals • Objective: • NASA is formulating a plan for human sortie missions on the lunar surface around 2020. • Goals: • Define communication network architecture for Altair mission to the lunar surface. • Identify and analyze communication links for Altair during ascent, descent, and while on the lunar surface • Design a communication payload to enable Altair to maintain reliable, robust communication links during all its mission phases. SCaN Systems and Networks Architecture Project (SNAP) Glenn Research Center

4. Lunar Nodes • Orion – an Apollo-based spacecraft designed to be the service module for two to four astronauts for NASA missions. • Small Pressurized Rover – (SPR) vehicle that provides a shirt sleve work environment, emergency shelter, and long distance transportation on the lunar surface for astronauts. • Science Communication Hybrid Orbiter – (SCHO) a hybrid lunar satellite in a lunar orbit, both performing scientific research/data gathering and acting as a relay satellite; the goal of the relay satellite mission will be to reduce the user burden for other lunar systems. • Altair – Previously known as the Lunar Surface Access Module (LSAM); the Lander spacecraft component of NASA’s Project Constellation; will carry astronauts to the lunar surface for lunar sortie and lunar outpost missions. SCaN Systems and Networks Architecture Project (SNAP) Glenn Research Center

5. 0. NASA (SNAP) Lunar Sortie Mission Scenario “Lunar” Earth Ground Stations MOC Science/Comm Hybrid Orbiter (SCHO) Orion In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Altair Small Pressurized Rover (SPR)

6. S-Band 186.2 kbps and 6 Mbps High and Low Gain Antennas Altair Lander Orion CEV S-Band Omni-directional Antenna 80 kbps Earth Ground Stations Pressurized Rover Science/Comm Lunar Orbiter S-Band If direct-to-earth fails, primary backup Wireless (802.16e) Three Whip Antennas

7. Concept Overview of Altair • Altair will be able to transport four crew to and from the surface of the moon. Altair can support crew a total of seven days on the surface, but can sit unmanned for 210. It has global access capability, anytime return to earth, and the capability to land 14-17 metric tons of dedicated cargo. There is also an airlock for surface exploration. • Communication links are required from Altair to Earth ground stations, Orion, a lunar science satellite, and a pressurized rover on the lunar surface.

8. Altair Attributes • Mission • Crew Size: 4 • 7 Day Sortie • 210 Day Outpost • Stages: 2 • Deliver 500kg of cargo w/ crew • Return 100 kg from the surface • System attributes • Overall height: 9.75m • Width at tanks: 8.8m • Width at footpad centers: 13.5m • Ascent Stage mass: 6141 kg • Ascent Stage thrust: 24.5 kN • Descent Stage mass: 37045 kg • Descent engine thrust: 83.0 kN • Crew module volume: 17.5m^3

9. Altair’s Communications Payload • The design of the communication payload for Altair will be based on each communication link requirements with Orion, a Lunar Science Satellite, and ground rover to transmit/receive voice, video, and data. • The main tool used in this design will be the Satellite Tool Kit by AGI. SCaN Systems and Networks Architecture Project (SNAP) Glenn Research Center

10. NASA Requirements • Three ISS-heritage, 120° FOV S-band antennas utilized for communications with Orion and 18-m DSN network; 41% spherical in-flight coverage; 100% DTE coverage on lunar surface when in view • Output transmit power of 40 W pro36 kbps @ 800km with Orion (will increase at closer ranges)vides for ~80 kbps data rate DTE; • Software defined radio (SDR) and three whip antennas deployed from descent module and airlock provide for EVA and lunar surface communications • SDR and three secondary antennas provide low-power backup emergency communication

11. Altair/Earth Ground Stations(2.25 GHz S-Band) SCaN Systems and Networks Architecture Project (SNAP) Glenn Research Center

12. Altair/Orion(2.25 GHz S-Band) SCaN Systems and Networks Architecture Project (SNAP) Glenn Research Center

13. Altair/SCHO(2.25 GHz S-Band) SCaN Systems and Networks Architecture Project (SNAP) Glenn Research Center

14. Altair/SPR (5.5 GHz 802.16e) SCaN Systems and Networks Architecture Project (SNAP) Glenn Research Center

15. Altair Master Equipment List

16. S-band High gain antenna S-band Diplexer S-band transceiver Navigation 4 x 1 S-band Low gain antenna S-band Low gain antenna Altair’s Other systems Clock Router S-band Low gain antenna Memory HDTV Camera Sector or dipole antenna Surface Wireless Communication Sub-system

17. Altair Lunar Lander Communication Payload S-Band Comm. Antenna Avionics Platforms(x2)

18. What’s Left to Do? • Eventually compare my design to what will be finalized for Altair. • More work with suggested Ka-Band capabilities on Altair rather than only S-Band. SCaN Systems and Networks Architecture Project Glenn Research Center

19. Thank you Mentor: Joe Warner, Alternate: Steve Oleson Sponsor of SNAP Project: Kul Bhasin

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21. Log(BER) vs Eb/No (.67 antenna) – Altair/DTE

22. Communication Links Altair

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