Gateway will serve as an orbiting lab for deep space science and as a staging point for lunar exploration. This project will enable NASA and its international partners to maintain a human presence on and around the Moon, paving the way for future missions to Mars.
A critical part of Gateway's communication and tracking system is the high-gain antennas, which facilitate connections between the lunar South Pole region, the Gateway in lunar orbit, and Earth.
NASA is performing extensive tests on the electric field emissions from these antennas to ensure safe, efficient communication without interference to Gateway's crew and equipment. By validating simulation models that predict electric field levels, NASA aims to establish precise safety zones around the K/Ka-band parabolic reflector antennas, protecting astronauts and hardware while maintaining high-rate communications.
The testing process involves using electric field and waveguide probes to measure the electromagnetic signals' strength and quality near a representative high-gain antenna. Robotic arms and optical tracking systems provide the precise measurements necessary for model validation. These tests are conducted in an anechoic chamber, a specialized environment for accurate measurements of electromagnetic waves.
"We are sharpening our pencil in conducting model validation measurements - ensuring high accuracy in the analysis of electric fields radiated by the high-gain antennas on Gateway," said Timothy Kennedy, one of the NASA engineers overseeing the tests. "This enables reduced margins on antenna masking needed to protect equipment and crew, while maximizing communication coverage."
The results are expected to deepen NASA's understanding of the electric field levels emitted by Gateway's antennas, informing critical operational decisions during Artemis missions and ensuring the Gateway remains a safe habitat for astronauts orbiting the Moon.
Related Links
Lunar Gateway at NASA
Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com
Lunar Dreams and more
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