NASA Remote Exploration and Experimentation REE: Enabling Technologies for Advanced Multispacecraft Missions in the Solar Terrestrial Probe Line. Onboard Analysis of Interferometric and Particle Spectrometer Data. 

M. L. Rilee, S. Curtis, B. Farrell, A. Figueroa-Vinas, J. Houser, M. Kaiser, M. Reiner

Presented at AGU Fall Meeting, 981205-9, San Francisco, CA.

Abstract: STP Computing Needs

In this work we explore the computing requirements of advanced
missions in NASA's Sun-Earth Connections theme.  Proposed missions
such as {\it Magnetospheric Constellation} (launch date 2010) and the
{\it Solar Imaging Radio Array (SIRA/ALFA)} feature as many as 100
spacecraft that work together to monitor the Sun-Earth system in
real-time. {\it Magnetospheric Constellation} will provide a view of
the large scale structure of the Earth's magnetosphere; {\it
SIRA/ALFA} will monitor and image radio emissions from the Solar
Corona and Heliosphere. Electromagnetic and particle sensors on these
spacecraft will likely generate data at such prodigious rates that
data handling and communication becomes a severe mission
constraint. Furthermore, much of these data must be reduced to
moments, cross-correlated, or fit to models before the data can be
used to meet mission goals.

Abstract: The REE Approach

NASA's High Performance Computing and Communication Project's Remote
Exploration and Experimentation (REE) effort is pursuing computer
hardware and software technologies that may allow more of the data
analysis process to be performed on board the spacecraft. These
technologies may also enable a new paradigm of autonomous spacecraft
control to emerge.  The central thrust of the REE effort is the
construction of a prototypical flight computer based on low mass, low
power, fault tolerant, supercomputing technology: operations per watt
is a crucial metric.

Abstract: REE/STP Application

As part of this effort, the REE Solar Terrestrial Probe Science
Application Team is producing prototypical science data analysis and
control software for the REE Flight Processor. We focus on analysis
methods that are critical to space plasma physics: interferometry and
wave and particle spectrometry. We present the results of our analyses
which include simulated observations from model advanced
multispacecraft missions, e.g. solar radio bursts as observed by {\it
SIRA/ALFA} or magnetic reconnection as observed by {\it Magnetospheric
Constellation}.