Context: Recently, scientists at Raman Research Institute (RRI), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have developed an algorithm called STARFIRE.

About STARFIRE Algorithm

• The STARFIRE is a new algorithm that will help estimate and map the unwanted Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) signals in space.

• STARFIRE Stands for: Simulation of TerrestriAl Radio Frequency Interference in oRbits around Earth.

• STARFIRE algorithm can help estimate the RFI emitted by Frequency Modulation (FM) radio stations, WiFi networks, mobile towers, radar, satellites, and communication devices.

• These frequencies often tend to interfere with the RFI emitted by the object of research such as universe.

• The estimation of RFI sourcing from these devices will help in finding the correct data of RFI coming from the object of research.

• It can help design instruments that can offer optimal operations in the presence of RFI.

• This will then help in enrichment of data obtained from the future space-based Astronomy missions.

Application of STARFIRE Algorithm

• To study the early Universe and its evolution by detecting faint and weak strength signals coming from the universe.

• This has been challenging before the development of algorithm, due to the presence of signals coming from the devices installed on Earth.

• Use the calculation for designing and fine-tuning the antennas and other instrument for missions like India’s Probing ReionizATion of the Universe using Signal from Hydrogen (PRATUSH).

• This algorithm can be useful in orbit selection for future missions.

• STARFIRE allows users to change properties of the antennas that transmit and receive RFI along with including the astrophysical radio signals from Milky way galaxy and the cosmos.

• This will then help to derive meaningful conclusions about experiment sensitivity.

About PRATUSH mission

• The PRATUSH mission aims to address the growing RFI on Earth and to study the birth of the first stars and galaxies in the Universe using the 21-cm hydrogen line obtained from the far side of the moon.

• 21-cm hydrogen line may contain some of the unknown facts about the cosmos.

• Using the data, generated by STARFIRE scientists have quantified the effect of RFI variation with frequency, altitude, and different locations over Earth.

• These RFI effects were studied at the Low Earth Orbit, Medium Earth Orbit, and Geo-stationary orbit.

• As compared to high altitude orbits, lower altitude orbits experiences a smaller fraction of the Earth.

• This makes hence RFI from fewer transmitters more suitable for the Phase-I of PRATUSH.

• The subsequent phase will be a lunar orbiter which will be informed by observations from Phase-I.

What are the problems caused by Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)?

• RFI acts as an inevitable contaminant in a low-frequency cosmological experiment in Earth’s orbit.

• It can swamp out the radio waves astronomers use to learn about black holes, newly formed stars and the evolution of galaxies.

• Radio frequency interference is emitted mostly by electronic and electrical devices like switching power relays, industrial controls, medical instruments, electronic printers, game consoles, computing devices, etc.