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Completed TRL 5 (started at 3, targeting 5)
This proposed IRAD develops a core part of the communication system for the transmission and reception of data for small free flying payloads. In particular, this portion of the system will consist of the circuitry for the transmit power amplifier (PA) and the receiver low noise amplifier (LNA). This development is a key part in the complete communication system which will amplify the signals for optimal data transmission and reception of up to 48 instrumented sub payloads. The communication system will be used on suborbital platforms where telemetry on deployable free flying payloads is required.
Currently, health and status data reception from sub payload deployables with chemical release systems is not available once separated from the main payload. Since a minimum number of successful chemical deployments has been included in previous mission success criteria, it is desired to have a receiving system to ingest the data from the deployables. In the past, there have been instances where the chemical was not released properly and having the ability to analyze that information post flight would be helpful in determining the root cause of the issue. Additionally, the present configuration includes 24 deployables with future interests of doubling that number.
Looking ahead to sub-payload counts as high as 48, the only possible approach is to have the individual sub-payload data streams received and combined at the main payload into one high data rate downlink. By funding this effort, multiple in-situ measurements of the space science environment at distances up to 20 km will be possible. It will enable plasma physics payload swarms at a reduced cost and at more launch locations making it a game changing technology for the plasma physics principle investigators.
The proposed development of the amplifiers for the main and deployable payloads directly addresses this lack of capability (for direct communications between multiple bodies) and this IRAD provides a pathway for closing this gap.
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