The Deep Space Network - A Technology Case Study and What Improvements to the Deep Space Network are Needed to Support Crewed Missions to Mars?

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis research is to find out what experts and interested people think about Deep Space Network (DSN) technology for the crewed Mars mission in the future. The research document also addresses possible limitations which need to be fix before any critical missions. The paper discusses issues such as: data rate, hardware upgrade and new install requirement and a budget required for that, propagation delay, need of dedicated antenna support for the mission and security constraints.

The Technology Case Study (TCS) and focused discussion help to know the possible solutions and what everyone things about the DSN technology. The public platforms like Quora, Reddit, StackExchange, and Facebook Mars Society group assisted in gathering technical answers from the experts and individuals interested in this research.