Orbiting Deep Space Relay Station (ODSRS): DSN feasibility study report

Abstract

Future tracking requirements and advantages over earth based stations justify the design of an orbiting, free flying very long base interferometry system to provide high resolution maps of celestial radio sources. Moderate technology development is required for the following: 30 meter to 60 meter diameter deployable parabolic antennas with less than 2 millimeters surface tolerance; a momentum wheel attitude control system with few arc/second accuracy; solar power design; a hydrogen maser atomic frequency standard; and the cryogenic receivers. The system must meet current Deep Space tracking capabilities as a minimum, and the technology must be compatible with system performance growth in the future. System lifetime must be ten years without major refurbishing.