Back last Wednesday, we learned that a NASA scientific research satellite in orbit at Mars called MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) had gone radio quiet instead of contacting Earth again.
In the last 24 hours we've learned it's not just that the radio link isn't working, it's worse.
"Analysis of that signal suggests that the MAVEN spacecraft was rotating in an unexpected manner when it emerged from behind Mars," NASA officials wrote in the update. "Further, the frequency of the tracking signal suggests MAVEN's orbit trajectory may have changed."
Apparently, MAVEN is spinning around some untold axis affecting the radio signals from the probe. There are other spacecraft on and around Mars that can help, so they're not sounding desperate. At least, not yet.
"For the next two weeks of scheduled surface operations, NASA is arranging additional passes from the remaining orbiters, and the Perseverance and Curiosity teams have adjusted their daily planning activities to continue their science missions," NASA officials wrote in the update.
NASA's update explains:
Four orbiters at Mars, including MAVEN, relay communications to and from the surface to support rover operations. NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Odyssey, and ESA’s (European Space Agency’s) ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter all remain operational.
It's not sounding very good for MAVEN.
The MAVEN spacecraft at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida ahead of its launch in 2013. Image Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
It's dead, Jim.
ReplyDeleteSigh. We need better, more modern Mars comm and surveillance satellites. But I don't see anything in NASA's pipeline, and even if there was it would be decade late and tens-to-hundreds of dollars more expensive than quoted.
I'm seriously wondering what SpaceX is thinking? Are they going to send one of their first Mars Starships loaded with satellites and kick them out in orbit?
"...it would be decade late and tens-to-hundreds of dollars more expensive than quoted."
DeleteLOL, that's a funny slip! I'm sure you meant "tens-to-hundreds of MILLIONS of dollars."
Oh, man. Beans, do not comment when you're juggling yeast breads and timing schedules.
DeleteYes, millions. You could also insert billions and look at the SLS and not be wrong.
SpaceX must be planning a Mars coms network, I can’t see them relying on legacy NASA coms all competing for share of the little bandwidth there is there. They’ll need both down link to surface capability as well as deep space relays; whether these can be on the same bus or require different satellites is hard to say as it’s an area SpaceX have been less than forthcoming about based on what I’ve read to date. I doubt they’ll be deployed from one starship intended as a lander though given the engineering complexity to share the pez deploying satellite system with the proposed payload bay to surface elevator. Also, given the growing build rate of Starship and likely launch cadence I suspect it’ll be less complex to send multiple ship versions. Speculation of course but as we know, SpaceX are pretty much capable of anything.
ReplyDeleteThey have to be getting ready to do their own system as they, SpaceX, have based all their communications architecture on Starlink-style systems.
DeleteI have noticed that SpaceX tends not to comment on things that are in the works unless they are close to being finished or testing well.
Like EVA suits. Not a lot heard after Jared et al tried them out and found them to be about as useful as 1st gen EVA suits from early space days. What has SpaceX done lately? Not a lot of intel, but I'm sure they're working on them (and most likely SpaceX won't be using Axiom's suits when SpaceX crews land on the Moon and Mars without NASA approval.
I've worked on communications on satellites, but never starting from zero. I just don't know enough except the link is going to need good infrastructure on this end.
ReplyDeleteOne advantage NASA has is the Deep Space Network. When Voyagers 1 and 2 left the pad, their transmitters were rated for 23 Watts but the power running the two satellites now is low enough that I have a hard time believing they could do 10W, so the monstrous dishes help a lot.
If I was SpaceX looking at this, I think I'd be hesitant to use anything from NASA other than something like this infrastructure. Do it yourself, Elon. Every penny to or from NASA is a political battle that ends up like Artemis. As long as they have a line of customers coming to them as the leading launch company in the world, building this communications link can be funded. Maybe they can do something like rent time from the radio astronomers, like the VLA in New Mexico.
In the early 2000s, a company called Audacy (not the radio company) thought there was a market to augment Nasa's Deep Space Network. Their plan was for the "dishes" to be on satelites in orbit with much smaller ground footprints. I do not know or understand the particulars of the technology. They calculated there was a sufficient market to make it a viable business. That would be even more true now and especially with anticipated Mars launches. Starlink has the technology and personnel to do it. Musk could recreate the plan and fund it with existing need plus a purchase order from SpaceX.
DeleteOr it could be a division of SpaceX or completely unconnected to Musk or SpaceX.
DeleteI did a short search on Audacy and only find the internet radio company - which sounds more like "I Heart Radio" than anything like that (and I assume that's what you meant by "not the radio company").
DeleteAny links with details would be appreciated.
I was going from memory. It looks like I confused the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) system with the Deep Space Network (DSN). I thought someone somewhere mentioned the network, not just the ground stations, could also connect the Moon and Mars in addition to earth orbital objects and so remembered the company. I think the concept has been superceded by Starlink.
Deletehttps://www.space.com/33555-audacy-space-communications-satellites-moon.html
https://spacenews.com/eos-completes-acquisition/
https://www.satellitetoday.com/technology/2018/10/05/audacy-hits-the-100m-mark-so-now-what/
https://www.satellitetoday.com/technology/2018/06/21/space-based-internet-will-audacy-change-the-game/
I wonder if a propellent tank sprung a leak? Or, of course, a thruster could have been erroneously commanded, resulting in the spin.
ReplyDelete"SpaceX must be planning a Mars coms network, I can’t see them relying on legacy NASA coms all competing for share of the little bandwidth there is there."
ReplyDeleteYes, but Musk tries (as any good businessman would) to get others to pay for things like this. He probably has plans already, but is keeping them close for now. If the USSF or NASA issue a RFP he'll be ready.
1) hardware glitch, related to valves
ReplyDelete2) software glitch, highly unlikely
3) it got whacked by something, damaging said hardware. Probably micrometeroid-sized since it didn't change orbit much.
4) long shot: they didn't pay their vehicle subscription renewal. ;P
Re the DSN ... It strikes me that an orbital synthetic aperture antenna based on a satellite cloud might be an alternative. And if you can time sync it properly to receive you can do so to make it a phased array antenna to broadcast.
ReplyDeleteProbably would look something like Starlink...