 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| . |  |
. |
SpaceDev Teams With Wireless Future To Reduce Spacecraft Communication Costs
Poway - March 27, 2000 - SpaceDev and Wireless Future, Inc. will jointly develop and market a next-generation, miniaturized, low-cost STDN-compatible transponder (the MST-21TM), for use on government and commercial lunar and earth-orbiting missions. The first MST-21 will fly on the CHIPSat spacecraft currently under development by SpaceDev for the University of California Berkeley. CHIPSat is scheduled for launch in the spring of 2002 from Cape Canaveral on a Boeing Delta-II launch vehicle. The MST-21 can also be used for a variety of other missions, including SpaceDev's proposed live, streaming video lunar entertainment and science orbiter, and for its planned commercial near-earth asteroid exploration mission. The MST-21 is intended for usage in typical Telemetry, Tracking and Control operations of orbiting satellites, and is configured for digital applications up to 1.5 Mbps. The transmitter section uses linear phase modulation allowing users to receive proprietary baseband waveforms. This important feature gives the MST-21 unparalleled flexibility in space-based applications. The MST-21 is designed to operate over a wide range of supply voltages, provides coherent receiver-to-transmitter operation upon command, and incorporates coherent ranging capability to allow for precision navigation. Specified by SpaceDev to be fully compatible with NASA's worldwide Space Tracking and Data Network (STDN), and with commercial ground station providers with STDN capability, the MST-21 weighs just under 1 kg, and measures only 17 x 11 x 5 cm (about 7 x 4 x 2 inches). With an efficient 30% solid state power amplifier (SSPA), the MST-21 incorporates commandable power output settings, ensuring its flexibility to accommodate variable link conditions and to support a wide variety of earth-orbit and near-earth missions. Testing will be performed to ensure compatibility with a range of launch vehicle and space thermal and radiation environments. Speaking of this new agreement, Theo Maxey, President and CTO of Wireless Future, Inc. said, "Humankind has evolved into an informed and mobile creature, depending on diverse, instant communications. Affordable connectivity through space-based hardware is a logical step in our evolution. Together with SpaceDev, Wireless Future is establishing the new paradigm for affordable access to space communications through this first in a series of products." "The demand for more affordable and capable space communications products cannot be overstated," added Stan Dubyn, President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceDev. "We're excited to jointly develop and market the MST-21 with Wireless Future. This product will help to further unlock access to space for science, technology, civil, and commercial missions, with worldwide accessibility, NASA STDN compatibility, and affordability."
TRW To Upgrade GEODSS
Colorado Springs - March 27, 2000 - TRW will upgrade and enhance a U.S. Air Force satellite-tracking system under a potentially $20 million, four-year contract. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
