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Oneil, W. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Oneil, W. J..

Galileo

The purpose of the Galileo missions is to make observations of Jupiter and its satellites using an orbiting spacecraft and an atmospheric entry probe. The mission will determine the chemical composition and physical state of the Jovian atmosphere and its satellites, and the topology and behavior of the magnetic field and energetic particle flux of Jupiter. The mission plan calls for a Venus Earth Earth Gravity Assist (VEEGA) trajectory having a launch to end of mission duration of approximately 8 years. The Galileo spacecraft was placed in Earth orbit by the Space Transportation System (STS) on October 18, 1989. The Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) placed the spacecraft on a trajectory to encounter Venus on February 10, 1990. Information is given in tabular form for coverage goals, Deep Space Network (DSN) support, frequency assignments, telemetry, command, and tracking support responsibility.

Ausman, N. E.

Galileo mission overview

The Galileo mission has three major and equally important scientific objectives: the investigation of the chemical composition and physical state of the Jupiter atmosphere, the study of the composition and state of the Jovian satellites, and the probing of the structure and physical dynamics of the Jovian magnetosphere. The Galileo spacecraft comprises an Orbiter and an atmospheric entry Probe, which will be released on a ballistic entry trajectory from the Orbiter about 150 days before Jupiter arrival. After Probe release, the Orbiter will overfly the Probe during entry in order to relay its data to earth. The Orbiter will then insert itself into a 200-day orbit around Jupiter. Attention is given to the radio science, remote sensing and fields and particles instruments to be carried for the mission.

Oneil, W. J.

The Galileo Delta-VEGA mission to Jupiter

Project Galileo is to perform a more comprehensive investigation of the Jupiter system than was possible with Voyager. The Galileo spacecraft consists of both a planetary Orbiter and an atmospheric entry Probe. In connection with budgetary considerations and schedule problems, plans concerning the implementation of the project were changed a number of times. For the first seven months of 1982, the project Galileo was baselined as a Delta-VEGA transfer to be launched in 1985 by the Space Shuttle using the U.S. Air Force two-stage IUS as the upper stage augmented by a spacecraft Injection Module. The new mission and systems aspects of this 1985 Galileo Delta-VEGA baseline are compared to the prior 1985 Centaur direct transfer baseline. The techniques developed to virtually restore all the mission science in spite of greatly reduced launch vehicle performance are discussed. In July 1982, the U.S. Government reinstated the Centaur development and stipulated that Galileo be launched by Shuttle/Centaur in 1986.

Oneil, W. J.

Viking navigation

A comprehensive description of the navigation of the Viking spacecraft throughout their flight from Earth launch to Mars landing is given. The flight path design, actual inflight control, and postflight reconstruction are discussed in detail. The preflight analyses upon which the operational strategies and performance predictions were based are discussed. The inflight results are then discussed and compared with the preflight predictions and, finally, the results of any postflight analyses are presented.

Oneil, W. J.

Viking Navigation: Introduction

The design, control, and reconstruction of the flight paths of all four Viking vehicles is presented. The specification of requirements on the flight hardware is described along with the navigation strategies, procedures, operational software, and the inflight navigation. Features of the Viking navigation discussed include the precise determination of the spacecraft trajectories, prediction of the trajectories, design of the propulsive maneuvers required to effect the necessary trajectory changes, and calculation of the Lander descent guidance parameters.

Oneil, W. J.

An overview of Viking navigation

Viking flight path design and inflight control of Viking-1's path from earth launch to Mars landing are described. Attention is directed to the Lander descent, accessible area constraints, orbit insertion design, and earth departure control. Other topics include the orbital operations plan, the Viking heliocentric trajectory, and Mars approach control.

Oneil, W. J.

Introduction

A description is given of the navigation of Mariner 9, which included not only precision flight path control but also pointing of the scientific instruments mounted on a two-degree of freedom scan platform. Flight path control involved the determination of the spacecraft trajectory and the design and execution of the propulsive maneuvers required to effect the necessary changes in the trajectory. Radiometric tracking data provided by the Deep Space Network (DSN) were the principal data type used in the orbit determination process. During the Mars approach phase, optical tracking data were also used, but only on an experimental basis.

Oneil, W. J.