High-Level Project Summary
We’re Perigeo, computer science engineering students from the University of the Republic in Uruguay, and we’ve got the solution to advance communications in future missions to the moon. We have the key to make information reach to and from hundreds of scientists in upcoming lunar missions live, in real-time. We’ve created a tool that allows any scientist or astronaut registered in a mission to see, share and edit live mission logs, add images, audios and video footage and attach 3D surface and object scans through the use of LiDAR technology. Our system also allows the creation of access categories so that each user only sees the logs that they need.
Link to Project "Demo"
Link to Final Project
Detailed Project Description
This tool will open the doors to the future of communication between space missions and our planet.
We are going to create an application and a web of connections between devices through which astronauts and scientists will be capable of communicating on the moon and on Earth, with the rocketship as the primary antenna, being the receptor and transmitter of laser and/or radio signals.
On the subject of users and accounts, we- to ensure the security and trustworthiness of the data of the different NASA projects- are going to use an access card method, which will have an access code. That is to say: depending on which access card the user has, certain logs will be enabled that correspond only to their card and not to others'.
The functionality within the application will depend on the user who is connected at that time. Users have access to the projects they are working on, which will have an internal interaction between the users of the respective project through logs (or mission records) in real-time. To achieve this interaction between users in real-time, we use a communication system via laser, which is safer, more efficient, and faster than the traditional communication system via radio signals. In addition, the communication system through laser will avoid the delay of data transfer due to distance.
In logs it is possible to attach vital information that was not previously possible in past Lunar missions; files such as images, audios, and videos will be able to be saved in logs. In addition, we have also included support for 3D object and surface scanners, so files generated by the scanners will also be included.
Software
Through a simple method of registration and user login, we will control which logs scientists and astronauts can access in their corresponding missions. After entering they will see the main page, where it will be possible to choose a log to view and edit, with information on the title of the log, the last date and time of modification, and who it was last edited by.
When choosing a log, each user will have the option to add to the registry with information about their location, the date and time of the moment they are editing the registry, and attach files such as images, audios, videos, and 3D scans with the help of laser technology (particularly through the use of LiDAR, a technology that's already implemented in modern cellphones).
User registry
The user registration process would be like normal and current registration, requiring the user's first name, last name, and other important data, but to authenticate their access level (that is, the information that one could view and read), users will have an access card with a code, which will be automatically assigned to their user profile. The program easily verifies the code upon login.
For example: if the user is ASFG#1000, those with an access code larger than 1000 after the # will have a certain access level, and those with less than 1000 down to 0900 obtain another access level. Let's imagine that they are involved in different projects- none of the users within one group can see other group logs unless they are granted access to it through administrators. To obtain their access codes or access cards, NASA will give them to users physically to ensure log and project security.
An administrator (for example, those with access codes over 1000) would not only have access to all logs, but could also manage users and which logs they can access in case they need to access separate group logs which they would have otherwise been unable to reach.
Hardware
¿How would NASA scientists on Earth be able to communicate with the users on the Moon?
Through the DSN (Deep Space Network), a more reliable system, although slower, than its alternative: lasers such as used in OPALS (Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science) [at the International Space Station] or the LCRD (Laser Communications Relay Demonstration) that is planned to be carried out in late 2021.
¿How could devices connect between each other?
On the moon, devices could use radio signals and connections- that way, they connect to the spacecraft and from there they can use the aforementioned laser technology to communicate with scientists on Earth. The idea is to be able to mainly connect the devices on the moon under a single network (which is managed by the rocket) and then use the rocket as an antenna and communications center.
¿How could user locations be tracked?
Through the distance between the device and the rocket, the radius of the area where the user could be can be calculated.
In the future, the coordinates of the device can be detected via satellite; the ESA (European Space Agency) will launch satellites to the moon to facilitate international missions and faster communication networks between the Moon and the Earth.
¿What's a LiDAR?
The Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a device that detects the distance from the emitter to an object or surface using a pulsating laser. LiDAR is similar to the radar commonly used to track everything from airplanes in flight to thunderstorms.
Space Agency Data
[Please see REFERENCES!]
Hackathon Journey
"Despite some minor inconveniences and the small timeframe, our team was capable of coming up with a viable solution to this issue along with learning more about the world around us! It was an absolute pleasure to lead and manage Perigeo's Lunar Communications project and we will hopefully be back to participate next year with more team members and just as much energy and enthusiasm as this year!" -Laura Soumastre
References
UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGE:
https://history.nasa.gov/afj/ap13fj/08day3-problem.html [for further understanding of the problem]
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/50-years-ago-houston-we-ve-had-a-problem [for further understanding of the problem]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQdpfA0Wsho [for an example of what the program should be like]
https://www.nasa.gov/artemisprogram/ [to learn more about the Artemis Program]
https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-team/ [to learn more about the Artemis Program and its team]
SPACE COMMUNICATION:
https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/dsn-antennas/sp/ [for further understanding of how we communicate in space using the DSN]
https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/scan/services/networks/deep_space_network/about/ [for further understanding of how we communicate in space using the DSN]
https://www.nasa.gov/lasercomms [for further understanding of how we communicate in space using laser technology]
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/opals_data_rates_soar [for further understanding of how we communicate in space using laser technology]
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/optical-payload-for-lasercomm-science-opals [for further understanding of how we communicate in space using laser technology]
https://spinoff.nasa.gov/satellite-laser-communications [for further understanding of how we communicate in space using laser technology]
https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/ESA_advances_its_plan_for_satellites_around_the_Moon [future plans for Lunar satellites and advancement in Lunar communications]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY3rHHWgMjE [future plans for Lunar satellites and advancement in Lunar communications]
3D SCANNING TECHNOLOGY:
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/wstf/supporting_capabilities/nondestructive_evaluation/3d_scanning.html [for learning about current 3D laser scanning technology developed by NASA]
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/research/technology-onepagers/high-speed-3d-scanner.html [for learning about 3D laser scanning technology developed by NASA]
https://science.larc.nasa.gov/lidar/ [for learning about 3D laser scanning technology used by NASA]
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/LIDAR [for understanding LiDAR technology further]
Tags
#software #Artemis #moon #lunar #communications #dsn #opals #lidar #laser