Low-frequency observations using high-altitude balloon experiments (LOBE)

Raj Thilak Rajan; Prem Sundaramoorthy; C Vertegaal; Anton Montage; Visweswaran Karunanithi; Maneesh Verma; M.J. Bentum; Chris Verhoeven

Low-frequency observations using high-altitude balloon experiments (LOBE)

Raj Thilak Rajan, Prem Sundaramoorthy, C Vertegaal, Anton Montage, Visweswaran Karunanithi, Maneesh Verma, M.J. Bentum, Chris Verhoeven

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Academic

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Abstract

The frequency range below 30 MHz remains one of the last unexplored frequency ranges in radio astronomy However, Earth-based observations at these wavelengths are severely impeded, due to man-made radio frequency interference (RFI) and atmospheric opacity. To overcome this impediment, various space-based radio astronomy studies have been proposed in the past decade, notably the OLFAR (Orbiting low Frequency Antennas for Radio Astronomy) study, which proposed a satellite swarm for ultra-long wavelength observation. To realize this mission, various technological
challenges of a satellite swarm are currently being addressed, particularly antenna design, navigation, communication, distributed processing, and overall system and mission design. Secondly, the RFI levels at various altitudes from Earth is currently unknown, which is a hindrance in general for radio astronomy. To this end, we propose the use of highaltitude ballooning experiments to validate OLFAR sub-systems in pseudo-representative conditions. Furthermore, these ballooning experiments will measure the RFI in the ultra-long wavelength spectrum at various altitudes from Earth. Our project is termed LOBE (Low-frequency observations using high-altitude Balloon Experiments), and in this paper, we present an overview of the science objectives, payload, and the technological and programmatic
challenges of the LOBE project

Original language	English
Title of host publication	70th International Astronautical Congress (IAC)
Publisher	International Astronautical Federation
Number of pages	6
Publication status	Published - 1 Oct 2019
Event	70th International Astronautical Congress - Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington D.C., United States Duration: 21 Oct 2019 → 25 Oct 2019 https://www.iac2019.org/

Conference

Conference	70th International Astronautical Congress
Abbreviated title	IAC
Country	United States
City	Washington D.C.
Period	21/10/19 → 25/10/19
Internet address	https://www.iac2019.org/

Keywords

Array of balloons
High-altitude balloons
Satellite swarms
Space-based radio astronomy
Ultra-long wavelength observation

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title = "Low-frequency observations using high-altitude balloon experiments (LOBE)",

abstract = "The frequency range below 30 MHz remains one of the last unexplored frequency ranges in radio astronomy However, Earth-based observations at these wavelengths are severely impeded, due to man-made radio frequency interference (RFI) and atmospheric opacity. To overcome this impediment, various space-based radio astronomy studies have been proposed in the past decade, notably the OLFAR (Orbiting low Frequency Antennas for Radio Astronomy) study, which proposed a satellite swarm for ultra-long wavelength observation. To realize this mission, various technologicalchallenges of a satellite swarm are currently being addressed, particularly antenna design, navigation, communication, distributed processing, and overall system and mission design. Secondly, the RFI levels at various altitudes from Earth is currently unknown, which is a hindrance in general for radio astronomy. To this end, we propose the use of highaltitude ballooning experiments to validate OLFAR sub-systems in pseudo-representative conditions. Furthermore, these ballooning experiments will measure the RFI in the ultra-long wavelength spectrum at various altitudes from Earth. Our project is termed LOBE (Low-frequency observations using high-altitude Balloon Experiments), and in this paper, we present an overview of the science objectives, payload, and the technological and programmaticchallenges of the LOBE project ",

keywords = "Array of balloons, High-altitude balloons, Satellite swarms, Space-based radio astronomy, Ultra-long wavelength observation",

author = "Rajan, {Raj Thilak} and Prem Sundaramoorthy and C Vertegaal and Anton Montage and Visweswaran Karunanithi and Maneesh Verma and M.J. Bentum and Chris Verhoeven",

year = "2019",

month = oct,

day = "1",

language = "English",

booktitle = "70th International Astronautical Congress (IAC)",

publisher = "International Astronautical Federation",

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note = "70th International Astronautical Congress, IAC ; Conference date: 21-10-2019 Through 25-10-2019",

url = "https://www.iac2019.org/",

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Rajan, RT, Sundaramoorthy, P , Vertegaal, C, Montage, A, Karunanithi, V, Verma, M, Bentum, MJ & Verhoeven, C 2019, Low-frequency observations using high-altitude balloon experiments (LOBE). in 70th International Astronautical Congress (IAC)., IAC-19-A7.3.11, International Astronautical Federation, 70th International Astronautical Congress, Washington D.C., United States, 21/10/19.

Low-frequency observations using high-altitude balloon experiments (LOBE). / Rajan, Raj Thilak; Sundaramoorthy, Prem ; Vertegaal, C; Montage, Anton; Karunanithi, Visweswaran; Verma, Maneesh; Bentum, M.J.; Verhoeven, Chris.

70th International Astronautical Congress (IAC). International Astronautical Federation, 2019. IAC-19-A7.3.11.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Academic

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AB - The frequency range below 30 MHz remains one of the last unexplored frequency ranges in radio astronomy However, Earth-based observations at these wavelengths are severely impeded, due to man-made radio frequency interference (RFI) and atmospheric opacity. To overcome this impediment, various space-based radio astronomy studies have been proposed in the past decade, notably the OLFAR (Orbiting low Frequency Antennas for Radio Astronomy) study, which proposed a satellite swarm for ultra-long wavelength observation. To realize this mission, various technologicalchallenges of a satellite swarm are currently being addressed, particularly antenna design, navigation, communication, distributed processing, and overall system and mission design. Secondly, the RFI levels at various altitudes from Earth is currently unknown, which is a hindrance in general for radio astronomy. To this end, we propose the use of highaltitude ballooning experiments to validate OLFAR sub-systems in pseudo-representative conditions. Furthermore, these ballooning experiments will measure the RFI in the ultra-long wavelength spectrum at various altitudes from Earth. Our project is termed LOBE (Low-frequency observations using high-altitude Balloon Experiments), and in this paper, we present an overview of the science objectives, payload, and the technological and programmaticchallenges of the LOBE project

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