Abstract
A recent study of deep space telecommunication systems was performed in support of NASA's Mission to the Solar System planning activity. The results of this study show that high bandwidth communications (greater than 1 Mbps) are feasible at high-value planetary targets provided there are investments in the ground and spacecraft communication infrastructure. These targets include Mars, Jupiter, and Neptune. Optical communications is a key enabling technology for achieving the higher data rates. This work was then extended to consider solutions to extreme deep space (beyond 100AU) communications. Communications data rates between 10 and 100 Kbps should be achievable from as far as 1, 000AU within 25 years. The technologies, infrastructure enhancements, and resulting performance capabilities are discussed in this paper.
