Interplanetary Communication Network for Outer Planets of Solar System

Abstract

The principal objective of t his paper is to propose a communication architecture to supp ort data and command communication for future space missions to Jupiter (Project Prometheus) and Saturn (post Cassini -like missions) . These f uture missions will need the orbiters and probes to operate completely in an autonomous way to get connected to the space communication network. A communication network among a set of satellites placed in halo orbits at Saturn -Titan, Sun -Saturn, Sun -Jupiter, Sun -Earth and Sun -Mars Lagrangian points and a couple of relay satellites in a heliocentric Earth orbit form a base of this architecture. T he proposed system of spacecrafts, sub -spacecrafts and probes communicate with each other forming the backbone of the interplanetary network. We also survey various protocols designed specifically for interplanetary networks an d also provide a detailed cost analysis for the proposed interplanetary communication architecture. As in the development of any infrastructure, some initial investment has to be made which however will provide long -term dividends in the form of simpli fied communication procedures and protocols for future space missions.