Communications System

How does DS1's communications system work?

What frequency is the Ka-band subcarrier?

The subcarrier for Ka-band downlink will be at 375 kHz. The Small Deep Space Transponder's Ka-band modulation index at low subcarrier frequency (25 kHz) is very sensitive to temperature, and hence the downlink performance is unreliable. Using a high subcarrier frequency will eliminate this problem.

(See "How is extra data sent in the radio signal" for an explanation of subcarriers and modulation.)


How is data put on radio waves?
What are uplink and downlink?
What is frequency?
How and why do we control heat on a spacecraft?

How does the communications system work with so little power?
How is extra data sent in the radio signal?
How much data is DS1 able to transfer?
What are radio waves?

What is the Ka-band?
What radio frequency does DS1 use for communications?