Vulcan Wireless Empowers Space Exploration: From Soil Moisture to Gamma-Ray Bursts

Vulcan Wireless has proven to be a pivotal force, providing innovative communication solutions that drive scientific discovery and exploration.

SpaceX’s 30th Commercial Resupply Service (CRS-30) mission, which lifted off at 4:55 p.m. EDT on Thursday, March 21 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, was carrying two satellites hosting Vulcan’s NSR-SDR-S/S transceiver.

SNoOPI, a 6U CubeSat mission, embarked on a groundbreaking endeavor to measure root zone soil moisture and snow water equivalent using P-band signals of opportunity. By deploying Vulcan’s technology, SNoOPI is demonstrating multi-waveform functionality and robust data transmission capabilities, mitigating risks associated with employing novel techniques in space missions.

Similarly, Vulcan Wireless is playing a crucial role in NASA’s BurstCube mission, designed to study gamma-ray bursts, the most powerful explosions in the cosmos. BurstCube, a shoebox-sized satellite, aims to detect, locate, and study short bursts of high-energy light, typically occurring after the collisions of neutron stars. Vulcan’s communication system enables BurstCube to transmit precise arrival time and energy data for each gamma ray detected, facilitating real-time observations of these extraordinary cosmic events.

These missions highlight the collaborative endeavors among space agencies, research institutions, and private enterprises to expand the horizons of space exploration and scientific discovery. The integration of Vulcan Wireless technology into both missions exemplifies the synergy between innovation and exploration.