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ESDMD #0102: High-bandwidth, High-reliability Deep Space Communications

Reliable, disruption-tolerant, high-bandwidth voice and data links between Mars and Earth, with highly stable timing (bin 6, rating 51 of 57). Deep space links today run through the Deep Space Network or, at Mars, a few orbiters that relay data as a secondary job. Human landers will need "high definition (HD) or better quality streaming". Despite its general title, the target and use cases are Mars-only, in the Humans to Mars segment (Tech gaps spreadsheet, ESDMD #0102).

Quotations below are from row ESDMD #0102 of the tech gaps spreadsheet unless marked otherwise. ADD Rev C's Appendix D prints the same table for this gap, and it matches the row field for field, except that it prints the function ID "FN-C-107 M" as "FN-C-107M" (ADD Rev C, p. 205, PDF checked).

Description

"Communication from another planetary body back to Earth is a complex challenge. Deep space communication is currently accomplished via ground-based methods using the Deep Space Network or, for Mars, a limited relay system of orbiters (with secondary objectives to relay data). To achieve constant, reliable communications for deep space missions, communication systems should be disruption-tolerant and capable of transmitting voice and data at a high bandwidth with little to no interruption. Communication systems also need to be able to operate within the spectrum allocated for use. Additionally, there are timing challenges that require highly stable timing systems capable of achieving low drift rates. Reliable communication and timing strategies for deep space missions are needed to prevent interrupted communications and/or loss of mission-critical data."

Impacts and benefits: "Without gap closure, there would be increased difficulty in supporting consistent crew communications in deep space, as well as potential increased risk for loss of mission-critical data. For timing systems, there may be impacts reducing size, weight and power."

Current state of the art

"Ground-based methods through the Deep Space Network or Mars orbiters."

Performance target

Mars: "Enable reliable uplink and downlink solutions that prevent or mitigate data disruptions (e.g., terrain blockages, momentary loss of surface or relay coverage). Additionally, human landers will need high definition (HD) or better quality streaming and still imagery."

Child gaps

  • 0102-01: High-bandwidth, high-availability forward link from Earth to Mars
  • 0102-02: High-bandwidth, high-availability return link from Mars to Earth
  • 0102-03: High-efficiency, high-power optical communications
  • 0102-04: High-efficiency, high-power radio frequency communications
  • 0102-05: High-stability timing systems for Mars related applications

Traceability

  • Use cases and functions: UC-C-101 M -- FN-C-102 M; UC-C-103 M -- FN-C-103 M; UC-C-104 M -- FN-C-104 M; UC-C-105 M -- FN-C-107 M; UC-C-108 M -- FN-D-102 M
  • Definition tasks: Mars: MD-12 Maximum Allowable Crewed Communications Disruption; Crew Communications Architecture; Minimum Crew Communications Capability; Minimum Sustained Communications Capability

Segments and sub-architectures

Priority

Priority bin 6, overall prioritization rating 51 of 57. The rating is "the gap's location in the prioritized list of gaps", so 1 is the highest priority, and bins group gaps of similar priority, bin 1 highest. Criticality, urgency, breadth and depth set the order; cost is not considered (ADD Rev C, pp. 78, 199; method on the gaps index).

Moon Base relevance

Not established by the sources so far. The gap is Mars-only in the spreadsheet, and the Users Guide does not name it among its near-term Moon Base challenges (Technology and knowledge challenges). For the Moon, the Users Guide treats high-bandwidth links to Earth as Phase 1 functional gaps, not as a tech gap: FN-C-105 L, "Provide high bandwidth, high-availability communications and data exchange between the lunar surface and Earth", with the capability target of a second relay constellation "to enable > 500Mbps capability" (Users Guide, p. 8; see Phase 1 functional gaps). None of the Users Guide's technology challenges covers surface-to-Earth links.

Sources

Tech gaps spreadsheet, ESDMD #0102 · C&PNT white paper, p. 6 · ADD Rev C, pp. 78, 199, 205 · Users Guide, p. 8