Source: http://www.bits-chips.nl/nieuws/bekijk/artikel/lofar-krijgt-broertje-in-de-r... Our 'Delfi-C3' university is involved again, maybe ? ....

Henk, PA3GUO

Lofar gets brother in the room December 17, 2009 December 17, 2009

STW has a project approved by Astron, TU Delft, Twente University and six companies to a network of small satellites in orbit around the moon to bring. STW has a project approved by Astron, TU Delft, Twente University and six companies to a network of small satellites in orbit around the moon to bring. "At last a space project under Dutch direction." "At last a space project under Dutch direction."

Astronomers call it the Dark Ages, the period between approximately 400 thousand and 400 million years after the Big Bang. Astronomers call it the Dark Ages, the period between approximately 400 thousand and 400 million years after the Big Bang. Telescopes capture still the afterglow of this spectacular beginning of the universe, as signals of the first stars 400 million years later, but in between was silent. Telescopes still capture the afterglow of this spectacular beginning of the universe, as signals of the first stars 400 million years later, but in between was silent. Never has anyone a signal that the universe of toddler received. Never has anyone a signal that the universe of toddler received. Naturally, space engineers are jumping at the first picture to kieken. Naturally, space engineers are jumping at the first picture to kieken.

From the earth that is certainly not succeed. From the earth that is certainly not succeed. It is redshifted into the radio waves from hydrogen, the universe in the Dark Ages probably dominated. It is redshifted into the radio waves from hydrogen, the universe probably dominated in the Dark Ages.

These low-frequency radiation with a frequency of less than 30 MHz is not the ionosphere of the earth. These low-frequency radiation with a frequency of less than 30 MHz is not the Ionosphere of the Earth. Among the 10 MHz it is even completely stopped. Among the 10 MHz it is just completely stopped. Moreover there are other sources of interference, such as regurgitation of the sun and man-made signals that have been established. Moreover there are other sources of interference, such as regurgitation of the sun and man-made signals that have been established. Radio telescopes on Earth, such as LOFAR sensor network in Drenthe and adjacent regions, so look for the part of the spectrum from 30 to 240 MHz. Radio telescopes on Earth, such as LOFAR sensor network in Drenthe and adjacent regions, so look for the part of the spectrum from 30 to 240 MHz.

A swarm of satellites no bigger than a carton of milk can perform measurements on Earth can not. A swarm of satellites no bigger than a carton of milk can perform measurements on Earth can not.

The alternative a telescope in orbit around the earth, economically and technologically that there is not. The alternative a telescope in orbit around the earth, Economically and technologically that there is not. What do you, as a telescope aperture of ten to one hundred kilometers needs. What do you, as a telescope or aperture needs to one hundred kilometers. "There is only one solution: a network of small satellites - we speak of nano satellites - in space," says Chris Verhoeven, associate professor Structured Electronic Design of the TU Delft. "There is only one solution: a network of small satellites - we speak of nano satellites - in space," says Chris Verhoeven, associate professor Structured Electronic Design of the TU Delft. "In fact, the closest most appropriate place to measure the back of the moon, where the satellites are shielded." "In fact, the closest most appropriate place to measure the back of the moon, where the satellites are shielded." Lofar must to Mon Lofar must to Wed

STW has recently approved a project to do it to get. STW has recently approved a project to do it to get. Olfar called for Orbiting Low Frequency Array. Olfar called for Orbiting Low Frequency Array. Astron At the helm, the TU Delft and the University of Twente. Astron At the helm, the TU Delft and the University of Twente. Verhoeven, the aerospace engineering and signal processing on his behalf, his fellow Mark Twente Twente Bentum of the Telecommunication Engineering Group, the communication - the fibers of Lofar should be replaced by wireless methods. Verhoeven, the aerospace engineering and signal processing on his Behalf, his fellow Mark Twente Twente Bentum of the Telecommunication Engineering Group, the communication - the fibers of Lofar should be replaced by wireless methods. Astron supplies the radio télécopie expertise. Astron supplies the radio telecopy expertise. Furthermore participate Axiom IC chip companies, National Semiconductors and Systematic Design, electronics and aerospace companies operating Aemics Isis and Dutchspace. Furthermore participate Axiom IC chip companies, National Semiconductors and Systematic Design, electronics and aerospace companies operating Aemics Isis and Dutchspace.

Navigation Navigation "Our test calculations show that a realistic option for around the moon to create a satellite network. "Our test calculations show that a realistic option for around the moon to create a satellite network. Within the STW project we continue to develop," says Bentum. Within the STW project that we develop further ", says Bentum. That does not mean that only in theory and design. That does not mean that only in theory and design. "Over four years we have finished the first hardware. "Over four years we have finished the first hardware. At the best, then they can in the air." At the best, then they can in the air. "How they surface of the earth to the moon to come, is still under investigation. How it from the surface to the moon to come, is still under investigation. "You can volladen a rocket, or piggyback on other launches, and then micropropulsie of satellites orbiting the Earth to the Moon to move." "You can volladen a rocket, or piggyback on other launches, and then micropropulsie Orbiting satellites of the Earth to the Moon to move."

Part of the technology can already be tested in space, complete with Verhoeven. Part of the technology can already be tested in space, complete with Verhoeven. His students and Aerospace Electrical knut already ordered a satellite the size of a carton of milk together. His students and Aerospace Electrical knut already ordered a satellite the size of a carton of milk together. This Delfi-C3 hitchhiked last year on an Indian rocket. This Delfi-C3 hitchhiked last year on an Indian rocket. "We work on a successor for some time, the Delfi-n3Xt. "We work on a successor for some time, the Delfi-n3Xt. This can for example take the radio receiver," said Verhoeven. That can be the radio receiver to take, "says Verhoeven.

"The nice thing about a network that is not a full time occupation need to be started", says Bentum. "The nice thing about a network that is not a full time occupation need to be started", says Bentum. "You can slowly build up the swarm. "You can slowly build up the swarm. Given the cost space entails, is that really useful. Given the cost of space entails, that is really useful. For optimum performance, there are fifty satellites, we estimate but you have five useful astronomical measurements. For optimum performance, there are fifty satellites, we estimate, but you have five useful astronomical measurements. They might not give the best results, but always the first. " That might not give the best results, but always the first. "

Astronomical measurements are not the only value of the satellite network, emphasized Verhoeven. Astronomical measurements are not the only value of the satellite network, emphasized Verhoeven. "The technology we are developing will benefit many other systems. "The technology we are developing will benefit many other systems. We want our satellite example using pulsars to determine their position. We want our satellite example using pulsars to determining their position. You should be able to pull that technology to a navigation independent of GPS. " You should be Able to pull the technology into a navigation system independent of GPS. "

The best of the whole initiative is that Verhoeven is still a major space project finally comes again under Dutch direction. The best of the whole initiative is that Verhoeven is still a major space project finally comes again under Dutch direction. "It's more than thirty years ago, when the Dutch Astronomical Satellite was launched." "It's more than thirty years ago, when the Dutch Astronomical Satellite was launched." Nevertheless Olfar also welcomes external contributions. Nevertheless Olfar also welcomes external contributions. "It may very well be that other parties shackling and satellite contributions. "It may very well be that other parties shack ment and satellite contributions. That is one advantage of the technological and financial flexibility of our space network." That is one advantage of the technological and financial flexibility of our space network. "

Paul van Gerven Paul van Gerven