Simplifying space data

Sophisticated signal processing techniques and simple proof-of-principle antenna arrays built from PVC pipe, aluminium foil and copper wire could revolutionise the way NASA obtains data from its Earth observing satellites.

If the adaptive array system being studied by NASA and Georgia Institute of Technology researchers ultimately proves feasible, it could dramatically decrease the cost of building and maintaining ground stations, enabling the cost-effective construction of many more ground stations. Ultimately, that could make information from the space agency’s Earth-observing satellites more widely and rapidly available.

The “off-the-shelf” technology has already demonstrated that it can successfully receive one satellite telemetry frequency.

“The dream would be to provide total global coverage with these antenna systems and to network the systems together to make these NASA information services available to anybody sitting at a computer, almost like video-on-demand,” explained Mary Ann Ingram, a professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “Timely information from Earth-observing satellites could be useful in many ways, such as directing operations to fight a forest fire, for instance.”