Compact Laser Communication Terminal Architecture and In-Orbit Demonstration

Satellites are generating more data than ever due to more demanding payloads, although communications Down To Earth (DTE) have not experienced the same growth in data rates. Compact Laser Communication Terminals are a promising technology that will increase bandwidths (10 Gbit+) and pave the way for larger data volumes to be transmitted which will increase the relevance of small and CubeSats in space data as service offerings. The in-orbit demonstrator is targeting a downlink data rate of 1 Gbit/s with a range of up to 1000km. A downlink wavelength of 1545nm is used while 1590nm is used for the ground station beacon. PRBS23 sequences will be transmitted from the in-orbit terminal to a ground station in the Netherlands. During in-orbit experimentation, attempts will be made to acquire payload data from other onboard payloads and to forward this data down to earth. This will provide valuable insight into possible future enhancements. The goal is to use the lessons learned from the in-orbit demonstration and results to drive the development of future iterations of the terminal. Lessons learned during the development phase, market feedback and test results are already being used to shape the architecture and design of the system. The following learnings are anticipated: robust fast data storage does add value; higher down and upload speeds are required; throughput enhancement using adjustable data rates will be worth the investment and enhancing error correction allows for more efficient transfers

A Unique 16U CubeSat Architecture for 1.5m GSD Commercial Earth Observation

Satellite operators frequently use 3U and 6U CubeSats for Earth Observation (EO) applications. These nanosatellites do have a few challenges when addressing the needs of the commercial EO sector: ✔the demand for more spatial, spectral and radiometric detail ✔the long term reliability of the satellite bus, and ✔accuracy of the satellite imagery. This poster introduces a 16U CubeSat architecture to address these challenges by optimizing the imaging payload to fit in a 12U volume and the satellite bus within a 4U volume

Die fisies-ruimtelike verband tussen stedelike vervoer en grondgebruik met verwysing na Alberton

M.Phil.While it is true that urban transport is a function of land use, it is equally true that land use is a function of urban transport. Any change in urban transport facilities changes the relative accessibility and hence the relative attraction of various land uses of every piece of land in a given area. Blumenfeld (1972, p. 140) feels that: "Transportation planning and city planning are not two different things but two sides of the same coin". According to several international sources the physical-spatial interrelation of urban transport and land use are totally ignored during the planning process. The short-term measures which have dominated urban transportation and land use planning have failed to appreciate long-term negative side-effects which, at later points in time, are perceived as current problems and again tackled with short-term solutions. This indicates a vicious circle which can only be broken if planners resolve to develop urban transport policies which are designed to reinforce desirable land use and development policies. In the long term it ls-the accessibility engendered by transport facilities which determine changes in the distribution of land use. Unfortunately in South Africa urban transport and land use planning appear to be concerned only with current perceptions of the transportation/land use problem such as congestion, delay, safety, movement, zoning and bulk regulations. Cameron (1977, p, 6) is of the following opinion: "Sadly the Driessen Report in South Africa has resulted in a transportation planning Act which, while appearing to offer scope for integrated planning, is being widely interpreted as a means to solve current problems, rather than as a means to really plan for the future". The object of this study is an attempt to determine within the physical-spatial dimension the interrelation of urban transport and land use with reference to Alberton. The methodology followed consists of a theoretical analysis of urban transportation and land use throughout the world. Thereafter the study area is described in order to marry the theory with the practice. An empirical investigation into the components of an urban structure, i.e, residential, industrial, business, administrative, open spaces and the transportation network, is followed by an analysis of the gathered information by means of a computer

A cognitive metaphorical approach to Genesis 29:7 and a suggested translation

The translation of the Hebrew phrase צוֺד הַיּוֹם נָּדֺוֺל (literally "the day is still big") in Genesis 29:7 in the Hebrew Bible is shown to be problematic in the large variety of translations that exist for this phrase. In Biblical Hebrew words and phrases have traditionally been translated literally, based on dictionaries which were written according to certain linguistic methodologies. The comparative philological and structuralist approaches failed to provide a solution to this problem, as can clearly be seen in the differing translations. This paper suggests that there is conceptual metaphor underlying this phrase which should be identified. The phrase in Genesis 29:7 is analysed according to the cognitive metaphor theory. The cultural and social background of this phrase is also discussed. Based and the analysis conceptual metaphor is suggested, namely A DAY IS A CONTAINER WITH ROOM FOR ACTIVITIES. A new translation for this verse is also suggested