NASA’s Near Space Network Bolsters PACE Climate Mission Communications
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 18, 2024
NASA’s Near Space Network has successfully enabled the PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) mission to transmit its inaugural set of operational data to Earth, utilizing innovative data-storing technology and recent enhancements. These upgrades are designed to improve communication for PACE and other forthcoming science missions.
The PACE satellite, which travels approximately 250 miles above Earth, is dedicated to understanding atmospheric and oceanic interactions, including carbon dioxide exchange, air quality factors, and the health of oceanic phytoplankton.
Data collected by PACE’s instruments are crucial for its mission. This data is encoded and sent back to Earth through NASA’s Near Space Network and Deep Space Network. Challenges such as long distances can cause disruptions and delays akin to internet buffering. To mitigate this, Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) technology has been integrated into the network, enabling safe data storage and forwarding until a clear transmission path is available.
“DTN is the future of space communications, providing robust protection of data that could be lost due to a disruption,” stated Kevin Coggins, deputy associate administrator for NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program. “PACE is the first operational science mission to leverage DTN, using it to transmit crucial data to mission operators about the satellite’s batteries, orbit, and more.”
Additionally, the Near Space Network has enhanced its infrastructure by partnering with Kongsberg Satellite Services in Norway to add four new antennas located in strategic global positions. These include sites in Fairbanks, Alaska; Wallops Island, Virginia; Punta Arenas, Chile; and Svalbard, Norway. These antennas allow for the downlink of substantial volumes of science data, supporting the mission’s need to downlink approximately 3.5 terabytes of data daily across 12 to 15 sessions.
These advancements in network capabilities underscore NASA’s commitment to improving its support systems for both current and future space missions through innovations like DTN and expanded antenna networks.
Related Links
PEACE at Goddard
Climate Science News – Modelling, Mitigation Adaptation
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