NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Post

ICYMI: a new antenna at NASA’s Deep Space Network Goldstone complex near Barstow, California reached a new milestone with the installation of its 133-ton reflector dish. When operational in 2026, the 34-meter antenna - Deep Space Station 23 - will boost our capacity to communicate with missions like Perseverance, Psyche, Europa Clipper, Voyager 1, and a growing fleet of future human and robotic spacecraft in deep space. Check out an incredible sunrise-to-sunset time lapse, photos, and learn more via NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory #Space #Communication #DeepSpaceNetwork

An exciting time for SCaN and the Deep Space Network! #NASA is adding a new antenna at our Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex to support increased demand for the world’s largest and most sensitive radio frequency telecommunication system. This addition represents a crucial communication upgrade for the agency ensuring NASA is ready to support the growing number of missions exploring the Moon, Mars, and beyond. https://lnkd.in/eJ8n8B86

🆕 Labsphere, Inc. has just made available a recent white paper describing the potential benefits of Space-grade Spectralon® solar diffusers for on-board calibration of small satellites. Following the results of a recent NASA presentation at CALCON, Spectralon diffusers have been shown to be a valuable tool in maintaining accurate calibration on Landsat-8 and -9. 🚀 Leveraging a 20+ year history of in-flight use of Spectralon, and extending that capability to constellations of small sats is a viable option for maintaining radiometric calibration and providing validation for these critical earth-observation imagers. 🌎 Download your copy now and see how the space heritage of Spectralon diffusers can be used today to move a colorful image to actionable data. ▶️ Download here: https://lnkd.in/eSnvXfgc ▶️ Learn more about Space-grade Spectralon here: https://lnkd.in/erCsGF28 📍Going to the Small Sat conference next week in Utah? Come see us at Booth 162 to discuss options for pre-launch, on-board, and vicarious calibration solutions. #SmallSat24 #SpaceTech #EarthObservation

NASA’s Goldstone Deep Space Network Welcomes New 34-Meter Antenna | JPL FriendsofNASA.org: A time-lapse video of construction operations for a new antenna at the NASA Deep Space Network’s Goldstone Space Communications Complex near Barstow, California, on Dec. 18, 2024. Called Deep Space Station 23 (DSS-23), the new antenna joins others at three Deep Space Network complexes around the world that communicate with spacecraft at the Moon and beyond. During construction operations on Dec. 18, the 112-foot-wide (34-meter-wide) steel parabolic reflector framework was lowered into position by crane before a crew bolted it into place. Shortly after, engineers placed what’s called a quadripod onto the center of the dish framework. A four-legged support structure, the quadripod weighs 16 ½ tons and features a curved subreflector that will direct radio frequency signals from deep space to bounce off the main reflector into the antenna’s pedestal, where the antenna’s receiver is housed. DSS-23 is a multi-frequency beam waveguide antenna that will boost the DSN’s capacity and enhance NASA’s deep space communications capabilities for decades to come. Once online in 2026, DSS-23 will be the fifth of six new beam waveguide antennas to be added to the network, following DSS-53 that was added at the DSN’s Madrid complex in 2022. The DSN allows missions to track, send commands to, and receive scientific data from faraway spacecraft. It is managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California for the agency’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program, which is located at NASA Headquarters within the Space Operations Mission Directorate. Video Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech Duration: 1 minute Release Date: Dec. 20, 2024 #NASA #Astronomy #Science #Space #VoyagerSpacecraft #Voyager1 #Voyager2 #Planets #Jupiter #Europa #EuropaClipper #JunoSpacecraft #SolarSystem #InterstellarSpace #MilkyWayGalaxy #SpaceExploration #RadioTelescopes #Antennas #DSS23 #DSN #Goldstone #SCaNProgram #JPL #Caltech #California #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #Timelapse #HD #Video

Did you know OCI is capable of 125m resolution in "cross-track" vs. the 1km resolution imagery we have distributed so far? Due to bandwidth limitations we are forced to downlink only *1/32nd* of the OCI UV-VIS detector systems capability! On board, we digitally aggregate the 125m cross-track pixels into 1km pixels, and the 0.625nm native spectral resolution into 2.5nm bins (typically) before transmission to the ground. We did take a limited set of high resolution data (narrow-swath) before commissioning ended as you can see below where I compare 1km to 125m resolution when viewing the Caspian Sea. Take-away: Pushing the envelope of remote sensing technology involves moving the entire technology ecosystem together, not just detectors, optics, antennas or similar front-end instrument components. #pace #keepingpace #earthscience NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Fresh from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the GOES-U satellite launch was nothing short of stellar! Clear blue skies witnessed the mighty SpaceX Falcon Heavy conducting its 10th mission, beautifully slotting NOAA's latest weather sentinel into the cosmos. 🌌 Let's talk specs: GOES-U isn't just another satellite. With imaging speed quintupled and clarity quadrupled compared to its predecessors, this weather-watching powerhouse brings game-changing precision to our fingertips. 🛰️Plus, the new Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) means we're keeping an eye on lightning 24/7, revolutionizing storm tracking. Lockheed Martin has wrapped up a 16-year saga with the GOES-R series, leading to forecasts so sharp, they're akin to crystal balls. And, it's not just Earth's atmosphere on the radar - GOES-U's Compact Coronagraph will be our sentinel against the tempests brewing in space weather. ☀️ Here's to unlocking a deeper understanding of our planet and beyond. Our industry is ascending, and it's the perfect orbit for your career - so join us, and let's reach new heights together! 💫 #SpaceInnovation #WeatherTech #GOESU✨

Did you know the OCI optics spin at a blazing 5.7Hz or 342rpm? OCI only "sees" a 16km wide spot on the Earth at one time in order to achieve high resolution. But our scientists need a 2700km wide swath to track phytoplankton colonies every two days globally. So we spin the telescope to raster scan the Earth! Every single row of pixels in the imagery we have distributed is the result of a single mechanical scan. That high scan rate is matched to the orbital velocity of the PACE spacecraft flying "north" to ensure a small amount of overlap between image rows with no gaps. Two mirrors are independently controlled at different spin rates achieving arc-second level co-alignment to send a stationary image into the detection systems. The digital clocks are then synchronized to the spin rate to move charge across the CCDs in perfect tandem with the spinning Earth scene. This fantastic balance of control systems was achieved entirely in-house at GSFC, beginning with early ESTO investments in the ORCA IIP at TRL-1 through our recent successful science retrievals on-orbit. More detailed information on the instrument architecture and pre-launch calibration can be found in our recent journal article: https://lnkd.in/evhvfhFH NASA Goddard Space Flight Center #pace #keepingpace #earthscience

How Do Spacecraft Stay Cool and Warm? 🚀❄️☀️ Ever wondered how spacecraft survive the extreme conditions of space? The secret lies in Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) blankets—a brilliant innovation that keeps them safe from scorching heat and freezing cold. What Are MLI Blankets? 🛡️ MLI blankets are made of thin, reflective layers (like aluminized Mylar) separated by lightweight spacers (commonly used in bridal veils!). These layers are specially designed to minimize heat transfer through radiation, perfect for the vacuum of space. How Do They Work? Think of MLI as a super thermal jacket: - Reflective Layers: Each one bounces heat back, reducing energy loss. - Spacers: Keep the layers apart, ensuring optimal insulation. Why Are They Important? 🌌 - Temperature Control: MLI blankets regulate temperature, protecting sensitive instruments. - Extended Mission Life: They shield spacecraft from harsh space conditions, increasing reliability. A Shining Example: Hubble Space Telescope 🔭 The Hubble Space Telescope (ESA Hubble and Webb Space Telescopes) is wrapped in MLI blankets, enabling it to capture detailed cosmic images without distortion from Earth's atmosphere. By orbiting above the atmosphere, Hubble avoids both blurring and light absorption, offering stunning clarity despite having a smaller mirror than ground-based telescopes. During a 2009 servicing mission, astronauts replaced Hubble’s aging MLI blankets to maintain its performance in space (NASA). Fun Fact: Building MLI Blankets ✂️ Traditional sewing methods create holes that can compromise insulation. Newer techniques, like using tag-pins or Velcro pads, reduce damage and keep layers intact! MLI blankets are the unsung heroes of space exploration—simple yet essential for the success of every mission! 🌟 For more Information: - Check out this blog by Gudmundur Stefansson posted on the website Habitable Zone Planet Finder - Penn State University : https://lnkd.in/gbDv9gut - Video Explanation by YouTube Rocket Scientist (Scott Manley): https://lnkd.in/gnexrZq5 #SpaceExploration #Engineering #Innovation #MLIBlankets #ESA Hubble and Webb Space Telescopes #Space Telescope Science Institute #Wikipedia #NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration #ThermalEngineering #Heattransfer

Southwest Research Institute has received a $26 million contract from NASA and NOAA to develop magnetometers for the Space Weather Next system.

Japan's wooden satellite leaves International Space Station • The Register - LignoSat was sent to the ISS in November 2024 on a mission to demonstrate that wood could be a viable material from which to build spacecraft. The goal of the satellite includes studying how the selected wood reacts when exposed to the environment of space and its resistance to cosmic radiation. Researchers will also monitor geomagnetic levels to determine whether the geomagnetic field can penetrate the satellite and interfere with the electronics. According to NASA, three wood species had previously been exposed to space before honoki magnolia was selected to construct the cubesat. The 10cm long wood panels used in the constructions were assembled using a Japanese wood joinery method called "Blind Miter Dovetail Joint." This method means that glue and nails are not required. LignoSat was part of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Small Satellite Orbital Deployer-30 (J-SSOD-30) CubeSat deployment mission, handled by the JEM Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS). It is expected to spend a few months in low Earth orbit before eventually reentering the Earth's atmosphere and burning up. Considering the rate at which satellites are being launched into orbit – SpaceX sent a batch of 24 Starlink satellites into space earlier this week – the prospect of building the spacecraft out of materials with less of an environmental impact is appealing, although LignoSat does incorporate components made from more conventional materials. According to a J-Stories report, researchers hope that more of the aluminum parts used to attach electronic components to the wooden box could be replaced by wood in the future. In the report, Koji Murata of the Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, said, "If the launch of the wooden satellite proves that timber can be used in space, it should change how we look at timber on Earth and lead to new uses and a reevaluation of the material." Source: Japan's wooden satellite leaves International Space Station • The Register - https://lnkd.in/dyni2u-N