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Small Deep Space Transponder
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<p>The Small Deep Space Transponder is a <a href="/facts/Transponder/cmqcWPwE">transponder</a> designed by <a href="/facts/JPL/zPXnxRBf">JPL</a> specifically for deep space probes. It unifies a number of communication functions - receiver, command detector, <a href="/facts/Telemetry/Mz9czXTl">telemetry</a> modulator, exciters, beacon tone generator, and control functions - into one 3-kg package. The SDST is designed to handle <a href="/facts/X_band/eMpD5T2r">X band</a> uplink and both <a href="/facts/X_band/eMpD5T2r">X band</a> and <a href="/facts/Ka_band/YqDrokxy">Ka band</a> downlink. JPL estimates that performing the same functions with separate units (as was done previously) requires over twice the mass and 4 or 5 individual subassemblies. </p>