Communications

How does DS1's communications system work?

What is the Small Deep Space Transponder?

The small deep space transponder combines the many separate functions that other spacecraft telecommunications systems perform into one unit. This unit has less than half the mass than would be required without this new technology. It contains several innovations that will help it meet the needs of many future missions.

The small deep space transponder has the ability to generate the beacon signals in Beacon Monitor Operations. Space projects that use the transponder will be saved the burden of designing their own telecommunications systems, and will be able to take advantage of the transponder's modern components and design techniques to save mass. The transponder has built into it the ability to use the new Ka-band radio frequency which will improve the efficiency of DSN communications.


What is DSN?
How much time on the DSN will DS1 get?
What new technologies are being tested on DS1?

How much data is DS1 able to transfer?
What new communications features are used by DS1?
What is bandwidth?
Why is mass important?
How will we know if the new technologies work?

What radio frequency does DS1 use for communications?
What frequency is the Ka-band subcarrier?
What is the Ka-band?
Why are we testing new technologies on DS1?