Mars Telecommunications Network (MTN)

Other / Unclassified

This document, "Mars Telecommunications Network (MTN) Objectives and Requirements Document," outlines the objectives and requirements for NASA's Mars Telecommunications Network Project. It details the intended purpose, scope, applicability, and stakeholders of the project. The document specifies various requirements for the network, including:

• Goals and Objectives: To provide robust communication and data exchange for assets in Mars' vicinity, surface, and Earth, along with positioning, navigation, and timing services.
• Ground Rules and Assumptions: Key operational parameters and assumptions for the network's development and deployment.
• Mars Telecommunications Network Requirements: Detailed technical requirements covering:
  • Project Requirements (e.g., operational lifetime, continuity of service, hardware delivery date).
  • Vehicle Requirements (e.g., operational readiness, cybersecurity, planetary protection).
  • Direct with Earth (DWE) Link Requirements (e.g., data rates, communication availability, DSN compatibility).
  • Proximity Link Requirements (e.g., orbital and surface coverage, data rates, time transfer accuracy).

This document serves as a foundational requirements specification for the Mars Telecommunications Network. Potential bidders can use this to understand the technical scope, performance expectations, and operational constraints for future procurements related to this network. It highlights the critical need for reliable, high-performance communication systems for Mars exploration, including specific data rate, availability, and compatibility requirements with existing NASA infrastructure like the Deep Space Network (DSN).

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This document outlines the objectives and requirements for the Mars Telecommunications Network (MTN) Project, aiming to establish a high-performance Mars telecommunications orbiter system for robust, continuous communication between assets in Mars' vicinity, the Martian surface, and Earth.

• The scope includes requirements for orbiters, Direct with Earth (DWE) links, and proximity links. It does not cover launch vehicle requirements.

• The document details top-level objectives for the MTN orbiters and aims to define the "what" rather than the "how", while accommodating legacy compatibility.

• Operational Lifetime: A minimum operational lifetime of 5 years post-readiness.

• Proximity Link Continuity: Services for current and future Mars surface assets.

• Non-Real-Time Store-and-Forward: Capability for DWE and proximity communications (1.0 Tbyte for DWE, 0.5 Tbyte for Proximity).

• Concurrent Service Provision: Support for concurrent full duplex operation of DWE, Proximity communications, and associated services.

• Hardware Delivery: Completed hardware to be delivered by December 31, 2028.

• Direct with Earth (DWE) Service: Provide DWE services under all flight phases, with data rates up to 100 Mbps.

• Mission Environment: Operation in all expected environments and mission phases.

• Solar Conjunction: DWE connections to operate at Sun-Earth-probe angles greater than 3°.

• Ground Commanded Prioritization: Capability for data prioritization from ground users.

• Scheduling Functionality: Implementation for user scheduling for DWE and Proximity links.

• Link Performance: End-to-end performance for all links with ≥3 dB margin and a bit error rate of 10⁻⁷ or better.

• Operational Readiness: Full operational readiness by the end of calendar year 2030 (goal: 2029).

• Cybersecurity & Command Protection: Utilization of cybersecurity and command link encryption practices.

• Planetary Protection: Adherence to applicable Agency Planetary Protection guidelines.

• Orbital Debris: Compliance with applicable Agency Mars Orbital Debris requirements.

• Proximity Link Requirements: Orbital coverage, near-global surface coverage (±50°), time transfer accuracy ≤ 1 millisecond (goal: 1 microsecond), and communication availability ≥98% (goal: 99%).

• Data Rates: Support for UHF Proximity Link data rates ≥ 2 Mbps (goal: ≥ 8 Mbps) and Advanced Proximity Link data rates > 25 Mbps (goal: > 100 Mbps).

• Simultaneous Links: Support for ≥ 2 concurrent full-duplex legacy links and ≥ 1 advanced proximity links.

• Adaptive Data Rates: Support for adaptive data rates on proximity links.

• Doppler & Ranging: In situ 1-way and 2-way Doppler tracking and ranging services with specified precision.

• PNT Service Reference Signals: Provision of pseudorange and Doppler reference signals with specified error contributions.

• Protocol Standard: Implementation of a CCSDS protocol standard.

• Open-Loop Recording: Provision for open-loop recording for critical events.

• The document specifies an operational lifetime of 5 years beginning at operational readiness.

• Hardware delivery is required by December 31, 2028.

• Operational readiness is targeted for the end of calendar year 2030 (goal: 2029).

• Legacy compatibility is required.

• Compatibility with the Deep Space Network (DSN) is mandated.

• Adherence to CCSDS BPv7 compliant communications interfaces and protocols.

• Support for Multiple Users per Aperture (MUPA) is a desired functionality.

• The system must operate within expected Mars environments.

• This document is a preliminary revision (MTN-402-REQ-0001, Revision Preliminary).

• The effective date is February 9, 2026.

• Key stakeholders include ESDMD, SOMD, SAO, SMD, and SCaN Program.