Lagrange Point 1 Orbit Observatory Communication with Earth via Earth Orbiting Satellites

Lagrange Point 1 Orbit Observatory Communication with Earth via Earth Orbiting Satellites

Shiva Basappa Anand, MITRE Corporation, McLean, VA; and Joseph Philip Green, NOAA, Silver Spring, MD

Abstract Text:

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Next (SW Next) Program’s primary objective is to provide operational users with timely and accurate space weather measurements, e.g., Sun coronal imaging and solar wind measurements. The SW Next Program is funding the development of multiple space weather observatories in several orbital regimes, such as the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1), Lagrange Point 5 (L5), Geosynchronous Earth Orbit, and Low-Earth Orbit. The baseline architecture for Space Weather Observation includes observatories that are placed at Sun-Earth L1. The goal of the SW Next program is to provide continuous measurements of the space environment and observations of the Sun. Continuous communication to and from the L1 observatories is one of the highest priorities of for NOAA. The first of SW Next L1 observatories is anticipated to be launched in 2028, with the next observatory to be launched two years later.

The study differs from the direct satellite to Ground Entry Point (GEP) that is used today. In this study we explore the key aspects of an alternative communication approach, with a relay satellite. This alternative offers the potential elimination of the dependency on an expensive global dedicated ground station antenna network. The approach is to disaggregate the L1 observatory communication using an orchestrated combination of Geostationary (GEO)/Medium-Earth Orbit (MEO)/Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) relay satellites to GEP networks. This integrated space network has the potential to provide cost-effective performance for NOAA, as well as the same balance of performance and cost for Space-Based Data Relay (SBDR). NOAA is exploring non-conventional communication approaches using the latest trend in radio frequency (RF) and Laser communications to support NOAA’s future L1 missions. It offers low-latency, low-cost, resilient, and assured L1 connectivity to meet NOAA L1 mission needs.

In this disaggregated approach, NOAA could choose to operate multiple observatories at L1 and downlink all observations to a preferred GEP terminal via relay satellites. Such a disaggregated communication architecture would support NOAA’s top priority measurements in a more robust, reliable, and cost-effective system. The study evaluates one near term promising RF approach.

This study investigates the use of a High-Gain Antenna (HGA) or phased array antenna mounted on the relay satellites’ solar panels to provide continuous tracking of L1 observatory for stable communication links. The study considers partnership arrangements to enable laser technology suitable for future L1 missions. In addition, NOAA is exploring a Do-No-Harm (DNH) enabling technology demonstration as a Payload of Opportunity. The hosted platforms being consider include SW Next current Program constellations of satellites, NOAA GEO-XO or other GEO satellites, partnership arrangements, and commercial space-to-space communication relay and Direct-to-Earth (DTE) as a service network provider vendor.

NOTICE

This (software/technical data) was produced for the U. S. Government under Contract Number TIRNO-99-D-00005, and is subject to Federal Acquisition Regulation Clause 52.227-14, Rights in Data—General, Alt. II, III and IV (DEC 2007) [Reference 27.409(a)].

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