Space Communication Research Articles

Single laser based novel wavelength shift keying scheme for ground to satellite bidirectional links

Abstract Laser communication in space is gaining more recognition due to its ability to provide a much broader and unregulated data transmission capacity compared to traditional radio frequency systems, while also significantly decreasing the size, power requirements, and weight of the communication system. In this work, a novel technique for the generation of a wavelength shift keying (WSK) signal for the bidirectional transmission of 10 Gbps data between the ground station and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite is presented. Our proposed scheme requires a single laser source to transmit WSK signal, that generally requires two wavelength sources to transmit the binary data bits. Furthermore, the scheme allows us to remodulate the optical signal received at the LEO satellite for downlink signal transmission. Therefore, the requirement of a laser source at the LEO satellite is eliminated, achieving the much desirable goals of low power consumption, weight and cost. The free space optical (FSO) channel is modelled using the gamma-gamma channel model. The performance of the proposed link is also compared with a conventional On-Off keying (OOK) based modulation scheme by using bit-error-rate (BER) as the performance metric.

Communal Spaces and Buildings in the Making: Pistoia’s Piazza del Duomo (14th-18th Centuries)

This paper deals with the relationship between continuity and change in architectural history, or, to be more precise, with the relationship between the continuity of built structures and the changes in their uses and meanings, using as a case study the Piazza del Duomo in Pistoia. The piazza is a kind of fossil of the communal age, surrounded as it is by the main public buildings of the late medieval city whose physical appearance has not been radically altered over time and whose functions have even remained largely stable. And yet the buildings are at the same time characterized by a history of continuous change, as a result of the Florentine conquest and the loss of political autonomy, as well as the internal evolution of the local ruling class. The paper focuses on these transformations, which adapted the public buildings to functions quite different from those for which they were originally built, all while preserving their external appearance, in order to ideologically exalt the ancient roots of civic identity as the main cornerstone — fictitious but credible — of Pistoia’s urban image.

True Crime Podcasting as Participatory Journalism: A Digital Ethnography of Collaborative Case Solving

True crime podcasts invite their listeners to crowdsource investigations online, solving cases that have fallen through the cracks of the criminal justice system. Through a cultural criminologist lens, this digital ethnography examines The Vanished podcast as a case study of how true crime listeners engage with solving cases in digital community spaces. Previous studies have dismissed true crime fans as pseudo police acting as digital vigilantes. Podcasting communities provide an important public service, working as participatory journalists to investigate the story and report the truth. Rather than depending on law enforcement permission to organize, online crime-investigation communities leverage the Internet’s function as an organizing agent for mobilization beyond the parameters of conventional social structures and formal government agencies. Findings reveal a six-step process of case collaboration between podcast producers, active listeners, and family and friends of missing persons. Other communities can apply this unique system to successfully investigate crime, suggesting implications for individuals within marginalized groups less likely to find justice through the formal legal system.

Children’s Perspectives of Neighbourhood Spaces: Gender-Based Insights From Participatory Mapping and GIS Analysis

Although several urban design and planning features, such as community spaces, green infrastructure, and traffic measures that prioritise pedestrians and children, have been identified as important characteristics of child-friendly cities and neighbourhoods, there remains a gap in our understanding regarding the specific elements of children’s daily environments that influence their experiences. This study focuses on the everyday activity spaces of children (aged 9–12) living in physically and socially diverse neighbourhoods of low-to-average income in Ankara, Turkey. Drawing on findings from thematic and qualitative GIS-based analyses of 40 participatory map-based focus groups with 217 children, this study aims to understand how neighbourhood design influences children’s everyday experiences across different neighbourhood types and genders. By visualising children’s perceptions of their neighbourhoods and activity spaces, and thematically analysing their comments related to neighbourhood design features that may facilitate positive and negative experiences, this child-centred study contributes to the limited research on children’s experiences of place. Our findings revealed key neighbourhood design features influencing children’s experiences and highlighted gender-based differences. While natural settings were valued across settings and genders, boys reported more physical activities in open spaces while girls more frequently emphasised the need for accessible playgrounds and natural settings. Children in urban neighbourhoods frequented streets, parks, and local shops more often, while those in suburban and sprawling areas preferred amenities near their homes. The study demonstrates that children’s positive everyday experiences can be supported by modifying the neighbourhood design, providing valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers on developing more child-friendly neighbourhoods.

The social commentary of Squid Game: reflections on Korean art, space and inequality

This paper discusses how communal spaces of childhood activity in Korea are reimagined in the drama Squid Game as part of a social commentary on class and economy. Many spaces shown in Squid Game are nostalgic representations of common Korean playgrounds, parks, and urban neighborhoods. In the show, however, these spaces of delightful memory are transformed into gory places where the literalized violence of neoliberal capitalism plays out. I argue that the creators of the show participate in a history of understanding communal spaces as focal points of social structure and expression that have been crucial in Korea since the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897). The use of such spaces over centuries, including their reenvisioning in modern media, illustrates how political and economic relationships are intimately tied to constructions and perceptions of space. Through a detailed structural, visual, and semiotic analysis of the communal spaces of historical and modern urban Korea, and a comparison with the spaces in Squid Game, I argue that social spaces are intimately tied to social hierarchies and the long history of inequality in Korea.

Perceptions of a South Australian online trans health resource: transnormativity, safety, and professionalism

Background The proliferation of trans-led online health resources constitutes a purposive community response to the limitations that many trans people face globally in accessing healthcare information and services. While such resources are typically community run or administered by individuals, and hence not subject to reporting mandates, it is useful to examine how end-users perceive online health resources for trans people. Aims This paper reports on an evaluation of one trans-led online health resource, focused on South Australia. Methods Interviews were undertaken with 15 trans people who accessed the website Trans Health SA. Participants were invited to view the website alongside the first author, and to share their thoughts about the website design and content. Results Thematic analysis resulted in the development of three themes: (1) transnormativity and the intended viewer, (2) the website as a welcoming community space, and (3) discrepancies between content and design. Conclusions The paper concludes by considering what it means to create inclusive online trans health resources in the context of both ongoing marginalization and community diversity.

Digital Twin-Driven Virtual Network Architecture for Enhanced Extended Reality Capabilities

Extended Reality (XR) technology is proposed as a key enabler for the development of immersive applications, thus transforming the way users interact within digital environments. In communication networks, XR will be able to introduce immersive network functions with the potential to enhance the network experience. This paper proposes a comprehensive architectural framework designed to support the deployment of XR Functions (XRFs) within a Digital Twin Network (DTN) environment in order to provide immersive functions of any type, including control and management functions, that are not available in the original network. The proposal can be deployed in relevant fields where digital twins are promising, such as medical applications, surveillance systems, autonomous driving and space communications. The proposed architecture must consider the need for minimal hardware and software resources, along with a network topological configuration with the objective of providing a robust yet lightweight framework, allowing devices with limited computing power, such as smartphones and laptops, to benefit from the enhanced network functionalities provided in the Digital Twin Network, without affecting the original network (ON).

Children’s rights: Belonging and participating in communities

Since the inception of UNCRC, a considerable body of scholarship has developed to consider what the rights of children are and how they can be enacted in everyday life. In this paper we re-visit the framing of children and young people and their rights, from the nascent endeavours in the 20th century to the present day, and argue that we still need to better understand the conditions by which children’s rights and their participation in their communities can be supported and amplified. To do this we draw on research with young people, growing up in some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most culturally diverse neighbourhoods. Using a mix of self-directed focus groups and visual methods, young people described their experiences of belonging and how and where they felt most able to participate as citizens. This analysis highlighted the significance of intergenerational connections within community, educational, cultural and religious spaces, where young people could express the right to be represented and realise the possibility for participation. We argue that children’s rights and agency need to be understood as part of relational interactions in the context of families and communities where children feel they belong and are given opportunities for participation.

Exploring the role of TikTok for intersectionality marginalized groups: the case of Muslim female content creators in Germany

IntroductionSocial media has become a central part of everyday life, providing spaces for communication, self-expression, and social mobilization. TikTok, specifically, has emerged as a prominent platform for marginalized groups, providing opportunities for activism and representation. However, research falls short in examining the specific role of TikTok for Muslim women in Germany who face intersecting forms of marginalization. This shortcoming reflects a broader lack of research on the experiences of marginalized groups within TikTok’s logics and affordances, and what functions the platform fulfills for these communities. Against this backdrop, this study examines TikTok’s role as a platform for Muslim female content creators in Germany and its broader implications for marginalized communities. Our research is guided by the following questions: (a) What are the main themes and topics that are being brought forward by Muslim women content creators on TikTok? (b) What technical affordances do they use to communicate their content? (c) What functions does TikTok fulfill for Muslim women as an intersectionally marginalized group?.MethodsWe analyze 320 videos from 32 public TikTok accounts identified through snowball sampling. Data collection includes automated web scraping, manual transcription, and qualitative coding. This allows us to identify main topics, video formats, and content types to answer our research questions.ResultsOur findings show that Muslim women produce diverse content on TikTok, ranging from beauty and lifestyle to religious education and social justice. They shape the platform’s functionalities through creative use, while TikTok’s algorithm and virality logic drive creators to blend entertainment with personal content. The hijab emerges as a unique issue, framed within both political and fashion discourses. Overall, TikTok functions as a “third space” where Muslim women challenge mainstream stereotypes and offer alternative interpretations of their identity. While TikTok provides empowerment and visibility, it also exposes Muslim women to hate speech and harassment. The platform provides tools to counter these issues, but the underlying social hierarchies often limit their visibility, making TikTok both a site of empowerment and vulnerability.DiscussionThis study highlights the need for further research into the role of social media for marginalized groups, particularly across platforms, gender, and religion.

South African village to host antenna key to NASA space communications

South African village to host antenna key to NASA space communications

THE PHENOMENON OF AGGRESSION IN LANGUAGE: THE PROBLEM OF TERMINOLOGY

The article highlights the main approaches to describing aggression in language. The polyphonic status of speech aggression is associated with the interdisciplinarity of this phenomenon and is explained by the widespread spread of aggression in modern speech practice. The purpose of this article is to present and compare the approaches available in language to the study of aggression and the definition of aggression within the framework of a linguocognitive approach. The directions of scientific linguistic thought in the study of aggression are described and its typological differences are established, which serve as the basis for conceptual approaches to classifying its types. The typology of verbal aggression in the works of Russian researchers in the following areas is considered: 1) speech act, 2) form of speech behaviour, 3) communicative strategy, 4) speech (communicative) action. It is established that verbal aggression includes not only the known means of its verbalisation, but also all possible conditions of the communicative space, the specifics of the discourse in which it is represented, the state and status of communicants. This is due to a comprehensive approach to understanding verbal aggression, which consists in harming the addressee or the object of speech. Choosing an aggressive form of speech behaviour, the speaker performs two functions: adaptation or protection. These functions of human aggression determine its existence in different types of discourse, determine the forms of its verbalisation.

Icelandic on Facebook: Linguistic practices in an informal communication space

Abstract This article is based on a PhD project that addressed the multilingual digital practices of native Icelandic speakers in so-called “computer-mediated communication” (CMC) and more specifically on Facebook. The research draws on new literacy studies as well as linguistic research on multilingualism in the context of digital environments to investigate the digital practices of Icelandic Facebook users. By applying both quantitative and qualitative research methods, the article argues for a mixed-method approach that allows for a more holistic analysis of digital discourse data. It is especially interested in the formal characteristics of Icelandic digital writing and tries to explore what linguistic resources users draw upon and how different communicative functions and contextual factors influence the users’ digital practices. Icelandic forms an interesting test case for the study of digital practices as Facebook constitutes an important communication space for Icelanders. However, the digital practices that can be observed on this social network site are characterised by informality and linguistic forms that may contrast with language regard and language ideology in Iceland.

Art and design workshops at a residential care facility – social care professionals’ experiences of co-creation and participation in designing the physical environment

BackgroundCo-creation and participation among different user groups have been highlighted as pivotal for improving residential care facilities for older persons. However, more knowledge is needed on methods aiming to overcome challenges in constructing inclusive co-creation and participation processes. In particular, there is a need for knowledge concerning how art and design workshops could contribute to co-creation and participation of social care professionals designing the physical environment in residential care facilities. Therefore, this study aimed to examine how art and design workshops can contribute to co-creation and participation in designing the physical environment with residential care facility professionals.MethodsA qualitative method was used to investigate social care professionals’ experiences. Data were collected through semi-structured group interviews and analysed with inspiration from Corbin and Strauss’s analysis method.ResultsThis study concludes that art and design workshops could serve as deliberating and developing practices. First, the art and design workshop as a deliberating practice involves conditions that create a communication arena and space supporting professionals in sharing experiences and voicing different perspectives. Second, the art and design workshop, as a developing practice, supports shared agency through dialogue focusing on designing the physical environment in residential care facilities, using photographs, materials, and fabrics.ConclusionsThis research contributes to the understanding of the relevance of art and design workshops and co-creation between artists and social care professionals in designing the physical environment in residential care facilities. The study can be valuable in identifying important mechanisms that facilitate co-creation and participation among social care professionals, as well as the development of art and design as a tool for improving environments in residential care facilities. The research focuses on how art and design workshops could influence co-creation and participation through art and design from the perspective of social care professionals.

Terrains of care in the smart city: sensemaking by creative communities of practice

Critical smart city research has presented wide-ranging risks of technocentric urban development. One critique lies in the kinds of citizenship directed under smart urban paradigms, which do little to account for residents’ practices of care. This paper is an ethico-onto-epistemological re-examination of smart cities through the lens of care practices specifically focusing on creative communities of practice. We use an enactivist empirical approach to help uncover experiences of sensemaking in the smart city held by three creative communities of practice in Helsinki. Through in-depth interviews with n = 22 urban planners, artists, and community space organizers, we assessed these groups’ differing and overlapping sensemaking processes. Utilizing 5E sensemaking processes (embodied, extended, enacted, emotive, and embedded) as a flexible analytical framework, we identify and interpret their practices of care as ways of sensemaking in a developing smart urban environment. Our results depict terrains of care in which participation and citizenship in the smart city is not neutral, but embedded in affective engagement, navigating rules and institutions, and cultivation of joy and inspiration. We use our findings to discuss what these interweaving terrains of care mean for citizenship and transformational change in the smart city.

I Belong: Gender and Sexuality Minoritized Students' Positive Perceptions of Campus Climate Protect Against PTSD Following Sexual Assault.

Sexual assault is a widespread problem among institutions of higher education. Students whose gender and/or sexuality are minoritized (GSM; non-cisgender and/or non-heterosexual) are especially vulnerable to experiencing sexual assault and its negative consequences, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A sense of belonging within the campus community can protect victims of sexual assault from negative psychological outcomes; however, no study to date has examined whether this aspect of a positive campus climate protects GSM victims, in particular, from developing more severe PTSD symptoms after sexual assault. We hypothesized that GSM victims would experience more severe PTSD symptoms than non-GSM victims after experiencing sexual assault and that their perceptions of campus climate would moderate this relationship. All undergraduate students from a public liberal arts college on the East Coast were asked to participate in an online survey about their history of sexual assault and emotional well-being. Of those who completed the survey, approximately 18% reported a history of sexual assault (N = 146). GSM victims of sexual assault reported more severe PTSD symptoms than non-GSM victims; however, a significant interaction showed that PTSD symptoms were similar for GSM and non-GSM victims with high ratings of campus climate. Thus, positive perceptions of campus climate protected GSM students from experiencing more severe PTSD symptoms. These findings inform administrative efforts by suggesting the need for more inclusive support resources (i.e., crisis centers and orientation materials), curricula, and community spaces for GSM students.

Geosocial Tools for Community Diagnosis and Health Promotion.

Growing research highlights the role of local community contexts in health and well-being. Communities function as central arenas for health promotion as individuals and community spaces interact in daily life. To better communicate the linkages between community and health, we demonstrate the use of a set of geosocial tools for community diagnosis and health promotion, conceptually grounded in the framework of geosocial embeddedness, using data from community surveys and participatory research conducted with local inhabitants to engage their competency. Through a web-based interactive map generated using a geographic information system, we identified public territories in the municipality where greater policy attention is needed to enhance health. Through an intersectional matrix produced using multilevel analysis, we identified precise social groups by intersectional categories that are most at risk of loneliness for targeted intervention. A health radar chart on multidomain indicators illustrated information on group dynamics and longitudinal comparisons for health promotion. Overall, these tools offered not only diagnoses of the most vulnerable social groups for tailored interventions but also insight for policymakers to improve infrastructure and material resources to promote health. We conclude that geosocial tools offer a promising approach toward sharpening health communication and improving health in the community.

X-ray communication system with high-repetition-rate pulsed X-ray source and LYSO(Ce) and YAP(Ce) scintillators

X-ray communication offers significant advantages over traditional microwave methods due to its shorter wavelength and higher theoretical bandwidth, enabling efficient space communication and penetration through complex electromagnetic environments. However, current systems face limitations in X-ray emission modulation and high-precision timing detection. To meet the high-frequency transmission demands of space missions, we developed a pulsed X-ray emission source capable of high-frequency modulation. Additionally, we identified specific scintillators with distinct advantages for different transmission frequency ranges, allowing for performance optimization. Experimental results demonstrated a successful transmission rate of 10 MHz, validating the feasibility of MHz-frequency X-ray communication.

How Racism and Discrimination Impacts Black Young Women’s Sexual Health: The Influence of Racial and Sexual Stereotypes on Educational Access

PurposeStructural racism and racial discrimination may increase adverse sexual health outcomes in Black adolescent girls. However, the influence of racism on sexual health has not been well-described in qualitative studies. The purpose of this study was to explore definitions of structural racism and determine how experiences of racial discrimination impact sexual health and decision-making in a sample of adolescent Black girls. MethodsBlack girls aged 13–19 years were recruited from an ongoing longitudinal study. Virtual focus groups and individual interviews were facilitated, inquiring about understandings of structural racism, experiences with discrimination, and factors that influence sexual health decision-making and healthcare-seeking. Transcripts were professionally transcribed and coded by two independent, blinded team members. Thematic content analysis was used to identify emergent themes. ResultsFour themes emerged as follows: (1) slavery and medical racism in the United States impact the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) choices of Black girls; (2) stereotypes and oversexualization of Black girls are considered a barrier to SRH education; (3) adults serve as both barriers and facilitators to SRH and resource utilization; and (4) Black girls often seek information from friends or social media outlets to make SRH decisions. DiscussionReproductive health education for Black girls should integrate historical influences of systemic oppression. Practitioners should include reproductive justice to build trust in clinical and community spaces. Engaging caregivers in health education may reduce barriers for youth to engage in care.

Fundamentals of end-of-life communication as part of advance care planning for older people: An interview study with nursing staff

This exploratory interview study investigated nursing staff members’ perspectives on the fundamentals of end-of-life communication with older people as part of advance care planning in home care, nursing home, and hospital settings. Separate semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 nursing staff members about their experiences, opinions, and preferences before, during, and after end-of-life conversations. Overall themes clustering the fundamentals include preconditions such as feeling comfortable talking about the end of life and creating space for open communication. Fundamentals related to the actual conversation–such as using senses and applying associative communication techniques (e.g., using understandable language), following conversation phases, and being aware of interprofessional collaboration–were also considered important. This study emphasizes the importance of moving along with the older person as well as connecting, adapting, and letting go of control over the conversation's outcome. Many fundamentals can be traced back to the basics of nursing and the humanity of conversation.

IRIS2: Asserting Autonomy in the New Space Age

In the burgeoning space-scape of the New Space Age, the European Union (EU) has embarked on a quest to fortify its dominion over space communication systems through the ‘Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite’ (IRIS2) constellation, under the auspices of the EU Secure Connectivity Programme. This paper explores the sovereignty motivations of the EU, the precipitated legal issues arising from participation of European private space actors and the exclusion of non-European competitors in the building and operation of the IRIS2 constellation, and ramifications on the EU’s sovereignty prerogative. By addressing these complexities, this paper seeks to enrich the understanding of the interplay between commercial actors, sovereignty of space systems, the operational legal and contractual approaches to liability, and provide a glimpse into how the EU has embarked on asserting autonomy in these challenging circumstances.