Earth to Gateway: Electric Field Tests Enhance Lunar Communication

Engineers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center recently began electric field testing on representative communications hardware for Gateway, humanity’s first space station to orbit the Moon.

An orbiting laboratory for deep space science and a staging ground for lunar exploration, Gateway will help NASA and its international partners establish a sustained human presence on and around the Moon in preparation for the next giant leap – human exploration of Mars.

High-gain antennas are an important component of Gateway’s communication and tracking system that connects operations across the vast distances of the lunar South Pole region, to Gateway in orbit around the Moon, to Earth, and back again.  

NASA is conducting rigorous testing on the electric field levels radiated by the antennas to ensure safe and efficient communication and to avoid any interference with Gateway’s crew and equipment. By validating simulation models to accurately predict electric field levels, NASA can establish precise safety zones around the K/Ka-band parabolic reflector antennas to protect astronauts and hardware without sacrificing high-rate communications.

During the meticulous testing process, engineers use electric field and waveguide probes, which measure the strength and quality of electromagnetic signals, to scan the near fields of a representative high-gain antenna. Robotic arms and optical tracking systems provide the precise measurements needed for model validation. The testing is being conducted in an anechoic chamber, a specialized room that provides a controlled environment for 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.”

Findings are expected to enhance NASA’s understanding of the electric field levels emitted by Gateway’s antennas and inform critical decisions for operating them safely during Artemis missions, ensuring that Gateway is a safe home for astronauts around the Moon.

Explore More

3 min read

Gateway: Up Close in Stunning Detail

Witness Gateway in stunning detail with this video that brings the future of lunar exploration…

Article


1 month ago

2 min read

Through Astronaut Eyes, Virtual Reality Propels Gateway Forward  

NASA astronauts are using virtual reality to explore Gateway. When they slip on their headsets,…

Article


4 months ago

6 min read

NASA’s Artemis IV: Building First Lunar Space Station

Article


4 months ago

Keep Exploring

Discover More Topics From NASA

Artemis

Orion Spacecraft

Space Launch System (SLS)

Moon to Mars Architecture

Powered by WPeMatico

Get The Details…
Dylan Connell

Three NASA Interns Expand Classroom Access to NASA Data

This summer, NASA welcomed interns with professional teaching experience to help make the agency’s data more interactive and accessible in the classroom. Their efforts are an important step in fostering the education and curiosity of the Artemis Generation of students who will shape the future workforce.

Diane Ripollone: Making Activities Accessible for Low-Vision Students

A 35-year-veteran educator, Diane Ripollone teaches Earth science, astronomy, and physics to high school students in North Carolina. In her decades of experience, she’s seen firsthand how students with physical challenges can face difficulties in connecting with lessons. She decided to tackle the issue head-on with her internship.

Ripollone supports the My NASA Data Program, which provides educational materials to interact with live data collected by NASA satellites, observatories, and sensors worldwide. As a NASA intern, she has worked to create physical materials with braille for students with- vision limitations.

“It’s a start for teachers,” Ripollone said. “Although every classroom is different, this helps to provide teachers a jumpstart to make engaging lesson plans centered around real NASA data.” Her NASA internship has excited and inspired her students, according to Ripollone. “My students have been amazed! I see their eyes open wide,” she said. “They say, ‘My teacher is working for NASA!’”

Felicia Haseleu: Improving Reading and Writing Skills

North Dakota teacher  Felicia Haseleu never imagined she’d be a NASA intern until a colleague forwarded the opportunity to her inbox. A teacher on her 11th year, she has seen how COVID-19 has affected students: “It’s caused a regression in reading and writing ability,” a shared impact that was seen in students nationwide.

A science teacher passionate about reading and writing, Felicia set out to utilize these in the science curriculum. As an intern with My NASA Data, she’s prepared lesson plans that combine using the scientific method with creative writing, allowing students to strengthen their reading and writing skills while immersing themselves in science.

Haseleu anticipates her NASA internship will provide benefits inside and outside the classroom.

“It’s going to be awesome to return to the classroom with all of these materials,” she said. “Being a NASA intern has been a great experience! I’ve felt really supported and you can tell that NASA is all encompassing and supports one another. From the camaraderie to NASA investing in interns, it’s nice to feel valued by NASA.”

Teri Minami: Hands-on Lesson for Neurodivergent and Artistic Students

“I’ve never been a data-whiz; I’ve always connected with science hands-on or through art,” said NASA intern Teri Minami, a teacher of 10 years in coastal Virginia. She cites her personal experience in science to guide her to develop lessons using NASA data for neurodivergent students or those with a more artistic background.

Through her NASA internship, she aims to create lesson plans which allow students to engage first-hand with science while outdoors, such as looking at water quality data, sea level ice, and CO2 emissions, taking their own measurements, and doing their own research on top of that.

Although many people associate being an intern with being an undergraduate in college, NASA interns come from all ages and backgrounds. In 2024, the agency’s interns ranged in age from 16 to 61 and included high school students, undergraduates, graduate students, doctoral students, and teachers.

Interested in joining NASA as an intern? Apply at intern.nasa.gov.

Explore More

8 min read

The Future is Bright: Johnson Space Center Interns Shine Throughout Summer Term

Article


2 days ago

3 min read

NASA to Host Panels, Forums, and More at Oshkosh 2024

Article


1 week ago

3 min read

NASA Awards Launch Excitement for STEM Learning Nationwide

NASA awards inspire the next generation of explorers by helping community institutions like museums, science…

Article


1 week ago

Keep Exploring

Discover More Topics From NASA

NASA Internship Programs

For Educators

For Colleges and Universities

Learning Resources

Powered by WPeMatico

Get The Details…
Sandra May