China has developed a new wireless communication technology for space exploration called "Aerospace NearLink."
Developed by Beijing Aerospace Wanyuan Science & Technology, a subsidiary of the state-owned China Aerospace Corporation, this technology promises to transform space exploration.
Reportedly, this new wireless communication system has been designed specifically for use on rockets.
Recently, a test flight successfully demonstrated that the Aerospace NearLink module can operate as intended in a real-world space environment.
As per the South China Morning Post (SCMP), this technology could slash transmission delays from milliseconds to microseconds. They say it to be the "world's most powerful wireless communication protocol." However, not many details are known.
This new technology aims to replace Bluetooth with a faster, more reliable communication system for rockets. It offers key advantages like low latency, high speed, and strong interference resistance.
A communication system is the lifeline between a rocket and its ground control. This enables real-time control, allowing for monitoring of the rocket's flight path and the transmission of commands to guide its trajectory.
Moreover, this new tech could make space missions more affordable by reducing the weight of rockets and the associated costs of fuel and construction. The existing rocket communication uses physical cables that weigh up to 500kg (1,100lbs).
Wang Hao, the R&D lead at Wanyuan, points out that these cable networks can weigh as much as three lunar rovers. This takes up space as well as increases payload capacity.
That's why, they propose to replace traditional cable networks on heavy-lift rockets with this new solution.
While a cable-free rocket system offers numerous theoretical advantages, it has not yet been widely implemented.
As per SCMP, this new network builds upon the foundation of China's indigenous "Xing Shan" technology.
This technology, including both the communication protocol and the chips, was entirely developed within China.
The research and development team at Wanyuan embarked on their project to develop Aerospace NearLink in September 2023.
Within a remarkably short timeframe of about a year, they successfully achieved two critical objectives. First, they increased the communication range of the technology, surpassing the limitations of the original Xing Shan technology.
Secondly, they improved the system's ability to function reliably in the face of various forms of interference.
The original technology had a limited communication range of 30 meters (98 feet). However, through careful optimizations in antenna design and frequency selection, the research team successfully extended the communication range of NearLink to an impressive 250 meters.
The Xing Shan module faced major data loss (up to 1.58%) when exposed to the challenging conditions of space, such as temperature fluctuations, vibrations, and electromagnetic interference.
However, the research team's new version dramatically improved this, reducing the data loss rate to below 0.01%. This makes it far more reliable for space applications.
China is constantly pushing the boundaries of space technology. Recently, China has made a significant leap in satellite communication by achieving a 100 gigabit per second data transmission rate using laser technology.
This speed surpasses the capabilities of Elon Musk's Starlink and opens new possibilities for space-based technologies.