George Thomas, Ph.D.

Deep Space Communication Links

George Thomas, Ph.D., Beau Groom, Karina Gray

• Studied limits of deep space links to spacecraft like Voyager 1 and 2

• Proposed a method to enhance data rate at extremely low power

• Examined benefits of optical links

• Proposed an inter-spacecraft relay concept

• Study of a satellite-based real-time flight data management system for aircraft

• Solves the problem of lost ‘black boxes’ of crashed aircraft

• Low-orbit and geostationary satellite alternatives vs. inter-aircraft ad hoc networks

• Project funded by an APU SURE (Summer Undergrad Research Experience) award

Publications/Presentations:

1. STEM Research Symposium
2. A paper based on the work received the best presentation award at the 2019 STEM Student Research Symposium at APU.