Abstract
Exploration targeting outer planets and even the edge of the solar system is an emerging direction for the deep-space exploration in the next decades. To address this challenge, a novel two-layer Lagrange-based relay network topology is proposed in this study. Specifically, we utilize the Sun-Mars and Sun-Saturn Lagrange points (LPs) L4 and L5 to build a two-layer backbone relay network, which ensures continuous and high-efficiency communication capability for the exploration of the solar system. Furthermore, we utilize the planetary gravity assist and design the transfer trajectory of backbone relays with the help of planetary celestial body motion equations and Kepler’s laws. Moreover, we conduct link budget analysis for multihop relay transmission under Gamma-Gamma distribution, shadowed Rician fading, and additive white Gaussian noise channels in several typical exploration scenarios and validate that the LP relays can effectively support future deep-space exploration missions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Kaushal H, Kaddoum G. Optical communication in space: challenges and mitigation techniques. IEEE Commun Surv Tutorials, 2017, 19: 57–96
Alhilal A, Braud T, Hui P. The sky is NOT the limit anymore: future architecture of the Interplanetary Internet. IEEE Aerosp Electron Syst Mag, 2019, 34: 22–32
Wan P, Zhan Y F, Pan X H. Solar system interplanetary communication networks: architectures, technologies and developments. Sci China Inf Sci, 2018, 61: 040302
NASA. NASA Strategic Plan, https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/2022_nasa_strategic_plan.pdf
CNSA. China’s Space Program. http://www.cnsa.gov.cn/english/n6465645/n6465648/c6813088/content.html
Chen Z Q, Jiao J, Wu S H, et al. Joint channel estimation and beam selection NOMA system for satellite-based Internet of Things. Sci China Inf Sci, 2022, 65: 202301
Feng B W, Jiao J, Wu S H, et al. How to apply polar codes in high throughput space communications. Sci China Tech Sci, 2020, 63: 1371–1382
Gladden R, Anabtawi A, Buccino D, et al. Preparing the Mars relay network for the arrival of the perseverance rover at Mars. In: Proceedings of IEEE Aerospace Conference (AERO), Big Sky, 2022
Tian H, Zhang T, Jia Y, et al. Zhurong: features and mission of China’s first Mars rover. Innovation, 2021, 2: 100121
Wan W X, Wang C, Li C L, et al. China’s first mission to Mars. Nat Astron, 2020, 4: 721
Yuan A, Xu Y, Zhang Q, et al. Optimal energy efficiency for relay selection via power allocation in L2 Halo-orbital cislunar communication network. IEEE Trans Veh Technol, 2022, 71: 3155–3170
Abdelsadek M Y, Chaudhry A U, Darwish T, et al. Future space networks: toward the next giant leap for humankind. IEEE Trans Commun, 2023, 71: 949–1007
NASA. NASA’s the invisible network podcast. https://www.nasa.gov/podcasts/invisible-network/13-pony-express-nasas-the-invisible-network-podcast/
Wan P, Zhan Y. A structured Solar System satellite relay constellation network topology design for Earth-Mars deep space communications. Int J Satell Commun Network, 2019, 37: 292–313
Kalita H, Ravindran A, Thangavelautham J. Exploration and utilization of asteroids as interplanetary communication relays. In: Proceedings of IEEE Aerospace Conference, 2018. 1–9
Howard R L. Lagrange-based options for relay satellites to eliminate Earth-Mars communications outages during solar superior conjunctions. In: Proceedings of ASCEND 2020, 2020
Du B, Gao F, Xu J Y. The analysis of topology based on Lagrange points L4/L5 of Sun-Earth system for relaying in Earth and Mars communication. In: Proceedings of IEEE 9th International Conference on Communication Software and Networks (ICCSN), Guangzhou, 2017
Bonafini S, Satriano N, Sacchi C. Study on relay networks based on Lagrangian points for optical-based Mars-to-Earth communications. In: Proceedings of IEEE 9th International Workshop on Metrology for AeroSpace (MetroAeroSpace), Pisa, 2022
Greenhouse M. The James Webb space telescope: mission overview and status. In: Proceedings of IEEE Aerospace Conference, Big Sky, 2019. 1–13
NASA. NASA Goddard space flight center eclipse web site. 2023. https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/
Wang B, Jiao J, Wu S, et al. Age-critical and secure blockchain sharding scheme for satellite-based Internet of Things. IEEE Trans Wireless Commun, 2022, 21: 9432–9446
Li Z, Fan M, Li H-T. Effect of solar noise on receiving system noise temperature. J Spacecr TT&C Technol, 2009, 6: 15–19
Biscarini M, de Sanctis K, Fabio S D, et al. Dynamical link budget in satellite communications at Ka-band: testing radiome-teorological forecasts with Hayabusa2 deep-space mission support data. IEEE Trans Wireless Commun, 2022, 21: 3935–3950
JPL. Approximate Positions of the Planets. https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/approx_pos.html
Deng R, Di B, Zhang H, et al. Ultra-dense LEO satellite constellations: how many LEO satellites do we need? IEEE Trans Wireless Commun, 2021, 20: 4843–4857
Malaya M, Ramesh K, Poovizhi V. Human crewed interplanetary transport architecture for roundtrip exploration of Mars and Ceres: trajectory paths and communication systems. In: Proceedings of IEEE AIAA SCITECH 2022 Forum, 2022
Englander J A, Berry K, Sutter B, et al. Trajectory design of the Lucy mission to explore the diversity of the Jupiter Trojans. In: Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC), 2019
Vasile M, Martin J M R, Masi L, et al. Incremental planning of multi-gravity assist trajectories. Acta Astronaut, 2015, 115: 407–421
Jiao J, Wu S, Lu R, et al. Massive access in space-based Internet of Things: challenges, opportunities, and future directions. IEEE Wireless Commun, 2021, 28: 118–125
Al-Habash M A, Andrews L C, Phillips R L. Mathematical model for the irradiance probability density function of a laser beam propagating through turbulent media. Opt Eng, 2001, 40: 1554–1562
Zhang Y S, Jiao J, Wang Y S, et al. Soft OSD-sliding window decoding for staircase LDPC codes in deep space communications. In: Proceedings of IEEE/CIC International Conference on Communications in China (ICCC), Dalian, 2023
Jiao J, He Y, Wang Y, et al. Design and analysis of novel Ka band NOMA uplink relay system for Lunar farside exploration. China Commun, 2020, 17: 1–14
Jiao J, Liao S Y, Sun Y Y, et al. Fairness-improved and QoS-guaranteed resource allocation for NOMA-based S-IoT network. Sci China Inf Sci, 2021, 64: 169306
Ding J, Jiao J, Huang J, et al. Age-optimal network coding HARQ scheme for satellite-based Internet of Things. IEEE Internet Things J, 2022, 9: 21984–21998
Zedini E, Ansari I S, Alouini M S. Performance analysis of mixed Nakagami-m and Gamma-Gamma dual-hop FSO transmission systems. IEEE Photonics J, 2015, 7: 1–20
Huang J, Jiao J, Wang Y, et al. Age-critical long erasure coding-CCSDS file delivery protocol for dual-hop S-IoT. IEEE Internet Things J, 2023, 10: 17070–17084
Li B, Zhong W Y, Wang S W, et al. S/X cryogenic receiver technology for VLBI satellite tracking. J Deep Space Expl, 2020, 52: 347–353
Acknowledgements
This work was supported in part by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 62071141, 62027802), Shenzhen Science and Technology Program (Grant Nos. JSGG20220831110801003, GXWD20231127123203001), and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant No. HIT.OCEF.2024046).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cao, J., Jiao, J., Liu, H. et al. Two-layer Lagrange-based relay network topology and trajectory design for solar system explorations. Sci. China Inf. Sci. 67, 162301 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11432-023-3936-7
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11432-023-3936-7