Next Generation Near-Earth Satellite System Benefits Space Exploration

NASA utilizes a network to enable efficient communication between ground stations and low-Earth orbiting spacecraft. This communication is necessary for command, control, tracking and telemetry of all space assets within the vicinity of Earth.

Depiction of the current satellites comprising the Near-Earth Space Network.

Services provided by the Near-Earth Space Network.

NASA Glenn Research Center’s Antenna, Microwave and Optical Systems (RCA) Branch has partnered with Goddard Space Flight Center to develop antenna element candidates that will be part of the satellite system used in the Next Generation Near-Earth Space Network. The antenna element is a single antenna unit of the multiple access array, which consists of 46 of these antennas. This effort is a continuation of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS), in which Glenn played an instrumental role.

Glenn is conducting the design, fabrication and testing of antenna element candidates for the next generation enhanced multiple access array. The results will be given to the selected contractor to choose and produce a flight-ready antenna for the satellite. This effort will significantly reduce the time and engineering design cost involved in developing the new satellite communications system.

Candidate antenna elements for the enhanced multiple access array on the next generation satellites. From left to right: cup-helix, corrugated horn, and cup-waveguide antennas developed by Glenn.

Glenn’s RCA branch is evaluating several antenna element candidates including a cup-helix, cup-waveguide, and corrugated horn. Each of these candidate designs have been tested in Glenn’s facilities and proven capable of meeting the specifications required of an individual antenna element in the multiple access array.

The antenna element characterization being performed by Glenn will result in a significant cost savings for future NASA missions and enhance the present performance of the near-Earth system. The technology may be utilized as early as 2007 and could have further application to antenna subsystems used on lunar and Martian rovers.