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Malargüe—A Satellite Dish Best Served Cold: Cryogenic Upgrade Boosts Capacity by Almost 80%
By: European Space Agency
In late July 2024, the Malargüe deep-space communication station completed an important upgrade of its antenna feed that will allow missions to send much more data back to Earth, a capacity increase of almost 80%.
Increasing Demand for Deep-Space Communication
With the ongoing surge in deep-space missions, including multiple international requests, there is an unprecedented demand for data throughput from deep-space ground stations. However, the capacity of existing facilities is reaching critical limits.
To address these challenges, the European Space Agency (ESA) initiated a comprehensive upgrade of its deep-space antennas, including cryogenic technology that can significantly enhance their operational capacity.
The Upgrade Process
The Malargüe station's recent upgrades specifically enable it to download up to 80% more science data from increasingly complex science missions, with an enhancement of up to 60% for deep-space missions such as Juice and BepiColombo.
| Mission | Data Capacity Increase |
|---|---|
| Science Missions | 80% |
| Deep-Space Missions (e.g., Juice, BepiColombo) | 60% |
Understanding Cryogenic Technology
To grasp how this technology improves performance, it is essential to understand the concept of thermal noise, which can interfere with the signals received by antennas. Background interference limits sensitivity and, subsequently, the data transfer rates of these antennas. One effective method to mitigate thermal noise is accomplished by cryo-cooling—cooling the link that connects the physical antenna to the electronic signal transmitter and receiver, referred to as the “antenna feed.”
Importance of Signal-to-Noise Ratio
The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is critical when designing, upgrading, and operating antennas. As Stéphane Halté, ESA Ground Station Project Manager, explains:
“Increasing the signal-to-noise ratio is key when designing, upgrading, and operating antennas.”
By reducing the temperature to 10 Kelvin (-263°C), the noise can be minimized, thus allowing a capacity boost of between 60% and 80%.
Collaborative Development of Technology
The new cryocooled feeds utilize a generation of ultra-low-noise cryogenic amplifiers (LNA) that were developed collaboratively with various university partners such as ETH Zurich (Switzerland) and Chalmers (Sweden). Commercialization of this technology has occurred through spin-off companies like LNF and Diramics.
The cryogenic technology, now regarded as a standard for ESA ground stations, was initially funded via the ESA Technology Development Element program. The prototype was manufactured and tested by Callisto Space (France), with integration performed at ESA's deep space stations by the Canadian company Calian.
Key Milestones
With Malargüe being the second antenna upgraded with cryocooled feeds, following advancements at the Cerebros station in 2023, this technology is set to be implemented in future antennas as well, including the anticipated New Norcia 3.
Broader Implications
This development not only benefits ESA missions but represents a crucial advancement for the broader scientific community and the competitiveness of European companies in the global market. The same technology utilized for these upgrades is also valuable for developments in quantum computers—demonstrating how innovations in space exploration can yield benefits across various disciplines.
Future Missions and Growth
The operational capacity enhancement achieved through this upgrade supports ESA missions in the immediate future while providing new capabilities for prospective missions. The integration of cutting-edge technology like cryogenic feeds signifies a substantial shift in the capabilities of deep-space antennas which, in turn, reflects the dynamics of modern space exploration and the continuous effort required to stay in tune with expanding demands.
Contact & Resources
For more information about this significant advancement in deep-space communications and ESA’s global ground station network, please visit the official ESA page.
For more information, refer to the following resources:
- ESA Space News
- Deep Space Network Overview
- ESA Research on Space Antenna Technology
- Cryogenic Technology in Space Missions
- Global Ground Station Needs in Space Exploration
Article retrieved from Universetoday
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