Reliable TT&C during superior solar conjunctions

The purpose of this study was to define the a communication subsystem architecture (including both ground and space segments, as well as operational methods) that allows robust RF TT&C links during superior solar conjunction phases. The defined architecture shall ensure robust and reliable links in scintillation regimes (i.e. at low SEP angles) where TT&C links are nowadays degraded, leading to occasional link interruptions. Similarly, the defined architecture shall ensure that at even higher scintillation regimes (i.e. very low SEP angles, where scintillations still dominate over thermal noise effects due to pointing to the sun), TT&C links can be established (these links are not possible today). The objective is thus to ensure reliable links (to cover any potential TT&C need), rather than to maximise data volumes.