This software is provided by the Mars Relay Operations Service (MaROS) task to a variety of Mars projects for the purpose of coordinating communications sessions between landed spacecraft assets and orbiting spacecraft assets at Mars. The Information Management Service centralizes a set of functions previously distributed across multiple spacecraft operations teams, and as such, greatly improves visibility into the end-to-end strategic coordination process. Most of the process revolves around the scheduling of communications sessions between the spacecraft during periods of time when a landed asset on Mars is geometrically visible by an orbiting spacecraft. These “relay” sessions are used to transfer data both to and from the landed asset via the orbiting asset on behalf of Earth-based spacecraft operators.
This software component is an application process running as a Java virtual machine. The component provides all service interfaces via a Repre sentational State Transfer (REST) protocol over “https” to external clients. There are two general interaction modes with the service: upload and download of data. For data upload, the service must execute logic specific to the upload data type and trigger any applicable calculations including pass delivery latencies and overflight conflicts. For data download, the software must retrieve and correlate requested information and deliver to the requesting client.
The provision of this service enables several key advancements over legacy processes and systems. For one, this service represents the first time that end-toend relay information is correlated into a single shared repository. The software also provides the first multimission latency calculator; previous latency calculations had been performed on a mission-by-mission basis.
This work was done by Daniel A. Allard, Roy E. Gladden, Jesse J. Wright, Franklin H. Hy, Gregg R. Rabideau, and Michael N. Wallick of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Daniel Broderick of the California Institute of Technology at
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
MaROS: Information Management Service
(reference NPO-47454) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document is a Technical Support Package for the Mars Relay Operations Service (MaROS), developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) under NASA's Commercial Technology Program. It outlines the implementation of a Relay Coordination System designed to enhance communication and data relay for Mars missions. The document emphasizes the importance of effective relay operations, which are critical for the success of various Mars missions, including the Mars Science Laboratory.
Key components of the Relay Coordination System include identifying relay opportunities, negotiating pass utilization between lander and orbiter teams, and calculating forward and return link latencies. The system aims to track and report modifications to the data set, visualize correlated relay information, and identify any warnings or conflicts that may prevent expected relay behavior. This comprehensive approach ensures that relay operations are efficient and reliable, ultimately improving mission outcomes.
The document also acknowledges the contributions of several individuals involved in the project, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the development of the MaROS system. It serves as a resource for understanding the advancements in relay operations and the methodologies employed to enhance data management and communication in space exploration.
Overall, the Technical Support Package provides valuable insights into the operational framework and technical support for Mars missions, showcasing NASA's commitment to advancing aerospace technology and ensuring successful exploration of the Martian environment. The information is intended for a wide audience, including those interested in aerospace developments with potential technological, scientific, or commercial applications.
For further inquiries or detailed information, the document provides contact details for the Innovative Technology Assets Management at JPL, encouraging engagement with the ongoing research and technology efforts in this field.
