Innovative projects are sought in the areas of basic research, fundamental research, applied research, development and systems and other concept formulation studies. Projects combining both science and technology are encouraged.
The JPL Director created the Research and Technology Development (R&TD) program for the purpose of enhancing JPL's ability to address future missions and objectives and to propel JPL into new research leadership roles. The program will support research in areas consistent with JPL's strategic direction and long-term vision.
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Specific examples of networked constellation missions are a radio science array formed by spatially distributed spacecraft combined with a communications network, a team of small rovers performing Mars terrain or cave exploration and dynamically connected in communications network, or a swarm of flyby spacecraft performing planetary gravity science. Multiple access, store-and-forward routing, multi-hop networking, and ranging methods supporting in situ localization will be investigated. Of key interest is implementation with small spacecraft such as Cubesats, thereby achieving cost feasibiity and potential scaling to larger networked constellations.
","benefits":"This project targets deep space exploration mission concepts whose science is enabled by means of the networked constellation architecture.
Although the primary focus of this project is to enable new forms of deep space science, the architecture and technology developed is expected to be applicable to a broader set of applications benefitting other agencies. For example, surveillance or disaster assistance may benefit from the application of networked constellation technology.
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