Space and atmospheric planetary communication links as scientific tools

We investigate the combined use of acoustic, radio frequency and optical links for communication and scientific purposes for possible upcoming planetary missions, e.g., the proposed TandEM mission to the Saturnian moons Enceladus and Titan in the frame of ESApsilas Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 call. Based on experience with balloon flights and in-situ measurements in the venusian and terrestrial atmospheres and planetary probes at Jupiter, Mars and Titan, the major emphasis is on communication in planetary atmospheres.