This article is the third of a three-part series in which we present the results of a study exploring concepts for improving communications and tracking capabilities of deep space SmallSats. In Part I, we discussed SmallSat direct-to-Earth links as well as SmallSat communications equipment, and provided recommendations for future work. In Part II, we focused on SmallSat navigation options, disruption tolerant networking, proximity links, and the use of the communication link for science observations. In Part III, we focus on ground support of deep space SmallSats. We present a brief overview of NASA's deep space network (DSN) along with concepts for adapting the DSN to improve support for SmallSats. We discuss approaches for increasing the DSN's efficiency in handling the anticipated increase in SmallSat communications, such as reducing setup and teardown times for a communications pass, and reducing DSN time allocated to Doppler and range measurements. A new demand access operational paradigm is proposed, which is more consistent with SmallSat communications requirements and will facilitate the DSN handling of larger numbers of spacecraft. Finally, we present the conclusion of the study as a list of recommendations to improve SmallSat communications and tracking.

中文翻译：

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改进深空小卫星通信和跟踪——对现有系统和技术的回顾以及改进建议。第三部分：深空网络

本文是由三部分组成的系列文章中的第三部分，我们在其中介绍了一项研究的结果，该研究探索了改进深空 SmallSats 通信和跟踪能力的概念。在第一部分中，我们讨论了 SmallSat 直接对地链路以及 SmallSat 通信设备，并为未来的工作提供了建议。在第二部分中，我们重点介绍了 SmallSat 导航选项、抗干扰网络、邻近链接以及科学观测通信链接的使用。在第三部分，我们专注于深空小卫星的地面支持。我们简要概述了 NASA 的深空网络 (DSN)，以及调整 DSN 以改进对 SmallSats 支持的概念。我们讨论了提高 DSN 处理预期的 SmallSat 通信增长效率的方法，例如减少通信通道的建立和拆除时间，以及减少分配给多普勒和距离测量的 DSN 时间。提出了一种新的需求接入操作范式，该范式更符合 SmallSat 通信要求，将有助于 DSN 处理大量航天器。最后，我们将研究结论作为改进 SmallSat 通信和跟踪的建议列表。