#Matjiesfontein

[andre64]

𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗷𝗶𝗲𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻

[nasa]

Calling Long-Distance: 10 Stellar Moments in 2022 for Space Communications and Navigation

Just like your phone needs Wi-Fi or data services to text or call – NASA spacecraft need communication services.

Giant antennas on Earth and a fleet of satellites in space enable missions to send data and images back to our home planet and keep us in touch with our astronauts in space. Using this data, scientists and engineers can make discoveries about Earth, the solar system, and beyond. The antennas and satellites make up our space communications networks: the Near Space Network and Deep Space Network.

Check out the top ten moments from our space comm community: 

1. Space communication networks helped the Artemis I mission on its historic journey to the Moon. From the launch pad to the Moon and back, the Near Space Network and Deep Space Network worked hand-in-hand to seamlessly support Artemis I. These networks let mission controllers send commands up to the spacecraft and receive important spacecraft health data, as well as incredible images of the Moon and Earth.

The Pathfinder Technology Demonstration 3 spacecraft with hosted TeraByte InfraRed Delivery (TBIRD) payload communicating with laser links down to Earth. Credit: NASA/Ames Research Center

2. Spacecraft can range in size – from the size of a bus to the size of a cereal box. In May 2022, we launched a record-breaking communication system the size of a tissue box. TBIRD showcases the benefits of a laser communications system, which uses infrared light waves rather than radio waves to communicate more data at once. Just like we have upgraded from 3G to 4G to 5G on our phones, we are upgrading its space communications capabilities by implementing laser comms!

3. The Deep Space Network added a new 34-meter (111-foot) antenna to continue supporting science and exploration missions investigating our solar system and beyond. Deep Space Station 53 went online in February 2022 at our Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex. It is the fourth of six antennas being added to expand the network’s capacity.

4. You’ve probably seen in the news that there are a lot of companies working on space capabilities. The Near Space Network is embracing the aerospace community’s innovative work and seeking out multiple partnerships. In 2022, we met with over 300 companies in hopes of beginning new collaborative efforts and increasing savings.

5. Similar to TBIRD, we're developing laser comms for the International Space Station. The terminal will show the benefits of laser comms while using a new networking technique called High Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking that routes data four times faster than current systems. This year, engineers tested and proved the capability in a lab.

6. In 2021, we launched the James Webb Space Telescope, a state-of-the-art observatory to take pictures of our universe. This year, the Deep Space Network received the revolutionary first images of our solar system from Webb. The telescope communicates with the network’s massive antennas at three global complexes in Canberra, Australia; Madrid, Spain; and Goldstone, California.

7. Just like we use data services on our phone to communicate, we'll do the same with future rovers and astronauts exploring the Moon. In 2022, the Lunar LTE Studies project, or LunarLiTES, team conducted two weeks of testing in the harsh depths of the Arizona desert, where groundbreaking 4G LTE communications data was captured in an environment similar to the lunar South Pole. We're using this information to determine the best way to use 4G and 5G networking on the Moon.

8. A new Near Space Network antenna site was unveiled in Matjiesfontein, South Africa. NASA and the South African Space Agency celebrated a ground-breaking at the site of a new comms antenna that will support future Artemis Moon missions. Three ground stations located strategically across the globe will provide direct-to-Earth communication and navigation capabilities for lunar missions.

9. Quantum science aims to better understand the world around us through the study of extremely small particles. April 14, 2022, marked the first official World Quantum Day celebration, and we participated alongside other federal agencies and the National Quantum Coordination Office. From atomic clocks to optimizing laser communications, quantum science promises to greatly improve our advances in science, exploration, and technology.

10. We intentionally crashed a spacecraft into an asteroid to test technology that could one day be used to defend Earth from asteroids. The Double Asteroid Redirection Test, or DART, mission successfully collided with the asteroid Dimorphos at a rate of 4 miles per second (6.1 kilometers per second), with real-time video enabled by the Deep Space Network. Alongside communications and navigation support, the global network also supports planetary defense by tracking near-Earth objects.

We look forward to many more special moments connecting Earth to space in the coming year.

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space!

[ruthbancroftgarden]

Aloe microstigma

To show the variation in Aloe microstigma, here is a plant from another population farther to the west, near Matjiesfontein. Here the plants have leaves that are striped in addition to being peppered with small spots, and the racemes are often yellow (as seen here), though bicolored racemes may also be encountered.

-Brian

[denverapologist]

Matjiesfontein transport museum

I’m also writing a little a travel journal on a google doc for the occasion (traveling to Cape Town atm). Maybe I’ll post it sometime :>

[lazycrusadellama]

Exploring Rovos Rail: A Luxurious Journey Through Africa

Rovos Rail, often called "The Pride of Africa," offers one of the world's most luxurious and captivating rail travel experiences. Combining the elegance of a bygone era with the modern comforts of today, Rovos Rail journeys through some of Africa's most stunning landscapes and vibrant cities. Here's Rovos Rail, which is a must-experience for any travel enthusiast seeking an unforgettable African adventure.

The Rovos Rail Experience

From the moment you step aboard, Rovos Rail transports you to a world of luxury and sophistication. The meticulously restored vintage carriages exude an old-world charm, featuring polished wood, plush furnishings, and period decor that evoke the golden age of train travel. Each train accommodates a select number of passengers, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience.

Luxurious Accommodation

Rovos Rail offers a range of suites, each designed with comfort and style in mind. The Pullman Suites provide cosy, elegant spaces perfect for solo travellers or couples, while the Deluxe Suites offer more room and additional amenities. The Royal Suites span half a carriage for the ultimate luxury, featuring a lounge area and en-suite bathroom with a Victorian-style bathtub.

Gourmet Dining

Dining on Rovos Rail is a gastronomic delight. The onboard chefs craft exquisite meals using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, blending traditional and contemporary cuisine. Each meal is paired with a selection of South Africa's finest wines, enhancing the dining experience. The elegant dining cars, complete with crisp white tablecloths and fine china, create a refined atmosphere reminiscent of a grand restaurant.

Scenic Routes

Rovos Rail offers several iconic routes that showcase Africa's diverse beauty:

Pretoria to Cape Town Duration: 3 days Highlights: This classic journey traverses the heart of South Africa, passing through the magnificent Drakensberg Mountains and the stark beauty of the Karoo. Stops include the historic town of Matjiesfontein and the diamond city of Kimberley.

Victoria Falls Journey Duration: 4 daysHighlights: Traveling from Pretoria to Victoria Falls, this route takes you through Botswana and Zimbabwe, offering views of wildlife and the stunning landscapes of Hwange National Park. The journey culminates at the breathtaking Victoria Falls.

Dar es Salaam Safari Duration: 15 days Highlights: One of Rovos Rail's most epic journeys, this route travels from Cape Town to Dar es Salaam, passing through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania. Highlights include game drives in the Madikwe Game Reserve, visiting the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, and crossing the dramatic Rift Valley.

Onboard Amenities

Rovos Rail ensures that passengers can access a range of amenities to enhance their journey. The Observation Car at the train's rear offers panoramic views and an open-air balcony, perfect for taking in the scenery. The Lounge Car provides a relaxing space to socialize or enjoy a book, while the Smoking Lounge caters to those who appreciate a cigar or pipe in an elegant setting.

Conclusion

Rovos Rail is more than just a train journey; it's an immersive experience that combines luxury, adventure, and the stunning beauty of Africa. Whether you're travelling through the picturesque landscapes of South Africa, witnessing the majesty of Victoria Falls, or embarking on a grand safari to Dar es Salaam, Rovos Rail offers an unparalleled travel experience. Rovos Rail promises a journey like no other for those seeking a blend of nostalgia and modern luxury.

[travelistic-sa]

Matjiesfontein Travels: Journey Through Time in South Africa.

[spacefrontier]

New 66-foot-wide antenna dishes will be built, online, and operational in time to provide near-continuous communications services to Artemis astronauts at the Moon later this decade.

Called LEGS, short for Lunar Exploration Ground Sites, the antennas represent critical infrastructure for NASA’s vision of supporting a sustained human presence at the Moon.

The first three of six proposed LEGS are planned for sites in New Mexico, South Africa, and Australia.

LEGS will become part of NASA’s Near Space Network, managed by the agency’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program and led out of Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

As a satellite orbits the Moon, it encodes its data onto a radio frequency signal. When a LEGS antenna comes into view, that satellite (or rover, etc.) will downlink the signal to a LEGS antenna. This data is then routed to mission operators and scientists around the globe who can make decisions about spacecraft health and orbit or use the science data to make discoveries.

The LEGS antennas are intended to be extremely flexible for users. For LEGS-1, LEGS-2, and LEGS-3, NASA is implementing a “dual-band approach” for the antennas that will allow missions to communicate using two different radio frequency bands — X-band and Ka-band. Typically, smaller data packets — like telemetry data — are sent over X-band, while high-resolution science data or imagery needs Ka-band. Due to its higher frequency, Ka-band allows significantly more information to be downlinked at once, such as real-time high-resolution video in support of crewed operations.

Further LEGS capacity will be sought from commercial service providers and will include a “tri-band approach” for the antennas using S-band in addition to X- and Ka-band.

The first LEGS ground station, or LEGS-1, is at NASA’s White Sands Complex in Las Cruces, New Mexico. NASA is improving land and facilities at the complex to receive the new LEGS-1 antenna.

The LEGS-2 antenna will be in Matjiesfontein, South Africa, located near Cape Town. In partnership with SANSA, the South African National Space Agency, NASA chose this location to maximize coverage to the Moon. South Africa was home to a ground tracking station outside Johannesburg that played a role in NASA’s Apollo missions to the Moon in the 1960s. The agency plans to complete the LEGS-2 antenna in 2026. For LEGS-3, NASA is exploring locations in Western Australia.

These stations will fully complement the existing capabilities of the Near and Deep Space Networks and allow for more robust communications services to the Artemis campaign.

[4x4community]

Road Trip to Matjiesfontein

Forum: Western Cape Posted By: Prof Post Time: 2024/04/14 at 03:52 PM http://dlvr.it/T5V6TS

[kakebenia]

Dag 2, terug huis toe deur die vloedwaters. Stop by Matjiesfontein vir middagete in koloniale Suid Afrika. Dan huis toe deur Bainskloofpas.

[jobthomas]

Road trip with my parents

Road trip with my parents

Last November, my parents finally were able to come down to South Africa to meet their granddaughter. My parents had never been to a proper game park, so we took them to Addo. Along the way, we spent time in Prince Albert, and Knysna. Here are some pics:

[worstjourney]

Physicist C.S. Wright visited this tiny settlement east of Cape Town when the Terra Nova stopped in South Africa in August 1910, to measure radiation.  Apparently it was stronger there than in Canada or England.

I looked it up because I was curious (not procrastinating at all, definitely no) and it appears not to have changed one single bit since then, except there are cars in the photos.

Apparently the trains there were terrible – in his memoir, Wright wrote “I had my first taste of a really well-run Government railway,” but he is very snarky about this railway in a letter to his father so I think perhaps this may be some of that Silas Sarcasm.

[the20th]

Hotel windows (Kimberley, Prince Albert, Matjiesfontein)

[ruthbancroftgarden]

Aloe microstigma

We have quite a few different forms of Aloe microstigma at the Ruth Bancroft Garden, and this one from Matjiesfontein (in South Africa’s Western Cape Province) is distinctive in having leaves that are markedly striped as well as peppered with small spots, and with brown teeth along the leaf margins. It is basically a yellow-flowered form, though it has a bit of orange at the bud stage.

-Brian

[chrislgodden]

Splash of Red #red #bus #matjiesfontein #westerncape #southafrica #travel #travels #traveler #travelphotography #internationaltraveler #travelpics #cruisepics #travelmania #letsgotravel #lovetotravel #passionpassport #traveldiary #instatravel #explore #tourism #traveltheworld #traveldiary #traveltheworldwithme

[karoobaix]

"Hard decisions... there was some confusion when I came across the arrows marking the route, but taking the road was bowing out, and the race went back into the sand for the last stretch before Matjiesfontein. I sat mulling it over for a while, until I saw Gilles and Bregan holding the gate for me, and then just headed on. I'd heard the leaders had finished while I was still at the lunch stop waiting on fuel, so at least I intended to see the route through." Crossing the R354 10•October•2017 Photograph by @LiamLynchPhoto #Karoobaix #Stage2 #Moordenaars #Sutherland to #Matjiesfontein #185km #Karoo #SouthAfrica #MoordenaarsKaroo #Desert #GravelRace #CyclocrossStyle #DropHandlebars #400km #KBX