The RC-SIM project aimed at the analysis of existing and novel techniques for the scientific investigation of the surfaces and interiors of planets and moons using spacecraft radio-communication signals. Main objectives have been the investigation of the physical parameters which can be obtained from the use, as a remote sensing instrument, of the radio-communication systems on-board interplanetary probes; to analyse the added value provided by this approach compared to other types of instruments; to develop a prototype simulator generating quantitative results of the different aspects involved in the radio communication link. After reviewing past and planned experiments in this field and the state-of-the-art of radio-communication systems, three target scenarios were considered: • Titan scenario, defining an orbiter around Titan and a balloon overflying its surface in different configurations for the realization of bistatic radar experiments to retrieve the dielectric constant and the root-mean-square (r.m.s.) surface slope. • Martian lander, to determine the Martian rotational state by using the Radio Frequencies (RF) signal coming from a lander on Mars to an Earth station. • Moon interferometric mission: this scenario involves a network of 3-4 widely spaced landers on the Moon and aims to accurate determination (to 0.2 mm) of lunar tides and librations. The most relevant models selected to simulate these scenarios have been: accurate Mars and Moon rotational state models; Titan surface model of interaction and reflection of RF signal; error models (atmospheric, solar plasma, transponder ageing ...); retrieval models. The simulator was developed according to pre-selected scientific requirements that may come from future planetary missions, and with the goal of assessing the potential benefits from the use of telecom links for geophysical investigation. The results show that state-of-the-art architecture of radio-communication systems may provide significant improvements in the knowledge of several geophysical parameters. The flexible simulator setup allows analysing different configurations and models, as well as performing sensitivity analyses in the context of future missions. Copyright ©2010 by the International Astronautical Federation. All rights reserved.
RC-SIM: Radiocomm signals for retrieval of planetary geophysical parameters / S. E., Centuori; F. E., Aleman; DI BENEDETTO, Mauro; Iess, Luciano; A., Graziani; A., Palli; Pierdicca, Nazzareno; R., Prieto Cerdeira; Racioppa, Paolo; D. T., Sanchez; P., Tortora. - ELETTRONICO. - 2:(2011), pp. 1408-1418. (Intervento presentato al convegno 62nd International Astronautical Congress 2011, IAC 2011 tenutosi a Cape Town; South Africa nel 3 October 2011 through 7 October 2011).
RC-SIM: Radiocomm signals for retrieval of planetary geophysical parameters
DI BENEDETTO, Mauro;IESS, Luciano;PIERDICCA, Nazzareno;RACIOPPA, Paolo;
2011
Abstract
The RC-SIM project aimed at the analysis of existing and novel techniques for the scientific investigation of the surfaces and interiors of planets and moons using spacecraft radio-communication signals. Main objectives have been the investigation of the physical parameters which can be obtained from the use, as a remote sensing instrument, of the radio-communication systems on-board interplanetary probes; to analyse the added value provided by this approach compared to other types of instruments; to develop a prototype simulator generating quantitative results of the different aspects involved in the radio communication link. After reviewing past and planned experiments in this field and the state-of-the-art of radio-communication systems, three target scenarios were considered: • Titan scenario, defining an orbiter around Titan and a balloon overflying its surface in different configurations for the realization of bistatic radar experiments to retrieve the dielectric constant and the root-mean-square (r.m.s.) surface slope. • Martian lander, to determine the Martian rotational state by using the Radio Frequencies (RF) signal coming from a lander on Mars to an Earth station. • Moon interferometric mission: this scenario involves a network of 3-4 widely spaced landers on the Moon and aims to accurate determination (to 0.2 mm) of lunar tides and librations. The most relevant models selected to simulate these scenarios have been: accurate Mars and Moon rotational state models; Titan surface model of interaction and reflection of RF signal; error models (atmospheric, solar plasma, transponder ageing ...); retrieval models. The simulator was developed according to pre-selected scientific requirements that may come from future planetary missions, and with the goal of assessing the potential benefits from the use of telecom links for geophysical investigation. The results show that state-of-the-art architecture of radio-communication systems may provide significant improvements in the knowledge of several geophysical parameters. The flexible simulator setup allows analysing different configurations and models, as well as performing sensitivity analyses in the context of future missions. Copyright ©2010 by the International Astronautical Federation. All rights reserved.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
