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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1975

Some procedures for computerized electronic data processing of absorption measurements from artificial earth satellites

The processing of data obtained from solar absorption radiation measurements is discussed. The position of the satellite was obtained by numerical integration of the differential equations of motion using initial conditions. The position of the sun was calculated as a function of time, and the tangential elevation was determined approximately from the positions of the satellite and the sun. The coefficients of an approximation formula and of a data smoothing process were determined, and the inversion of an Abel integral equation is solved analytically.

Trinkkeller, B.↗
NASA NTRS1974

On the analytic lunar and solar perturbations of a near earth satellite

The disturbing function of the moon (sun) is expanded as a sum of products of two harmonic functions, one depending on the position of the satellite and the other on the position of the moon (sun). The harmonic functions depending on the position of the perturbing body are developed into trigonometric series with the ecliptic elements l, l prime, F, D and Gamma of the lunar theory which are nearly linear with respect to time. Perturbation of elements are in the form of trigonometric series with the ecliptic lunar elements and the equatorial elements omega and Omega of the satellite, so that analytic integration is simple and the results are accurate over a long period of time.-

Estes, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Radio frequency interference from near-earth satellites

A pessimistic statistical model was developed for predicting the extent of radio frequency interference (RF1). Based on the assumptions underlying the model, DSN S-band operations can expect one RF1 interruption every 4.1 days, with the average incident lasting 24 s. This implies that 52 or more such satellites, with uncorrelated orbital trajectories, will cause in excess of 5 min of RF1 per day at a DSN station.

Levitt, B. K.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Long period perturbations of earth satellite orbits

All the equations involved in extending the PS phi solution to include the long periodic and second order secular effects of the zonal harmonics are presented. Topics covered include DSphi elements and relations for their conconical transformation into the PS phi elements; the solution algorithm based on the Von Zeipel method; and the elimination of long periodic terms and analytical integration of primed variables. The equations were entered into the ASOP program, checked out, and verified. Comparisons with numerical integrations show the long period theory to be accurate within several meters after 800 revolutions.

Wang, K. C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Meteorological factors in Earth-satellite propagation

Using the COMSTAR D/4 28.56 GHz beacon as a source, a differential gain experiment was performed by connecting a 5-meter paraboloidal antenna and a 0.6-meter paraboloidal antenna alternately to the same receiver. Substantial differential gain changes were observed during some, but not all, rain events. A site-diversity experiment was implemented which consists of two 28.56 GHz radiometers separated by 9 km. The look-angle corresponds to that of the D/4 beacon, and data were obtained with one radiometer during several weeks of concurrent beacon operation to verify the system calibration. A theoretical study of the effect of scattering from a nonuniform rain distribution along the path is under way to aid in interpreting the results of this experiment. An improved empirical site diversity-gain model was derived from data in the literature relating to 34 diversity experiments. Work on the experiment control and data acquisition system is continuing with a view toward future experiments.

Levis, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A comparative study of atmospheric density models in the context of definitive and predictive earth satellite orbit determination

The results of a comparative orbit determination study of four global atmospheric density models (modified Harris-Priester, Jacchia-Roberts, Mass Spectrometer/Incoherent Scatter (MSIS), and Simple Exponential Model (SEM)) are presented. Utilizing these models, definitive orbit determination consistency and accuracy are evaluated using the maximum position differences that occur during 6-hour overlap periods between ephemerides generated from 30-hour data arcs. Propagated ephemerides are compared with definitive orbit solutions to evaluate predictive accuracy. The results indicate that, for satellites above 300 kilometers, all four atmospheric density models produce comparable orbit determination accuracies when an atmospheric drag scaling factor and the satellite state vector are estimated in the orbit determination process.

Shanklin, R. E., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Space diversity performance prediction for earth-satellite paths using radar modeling techniques

Space diversity performance is examined on the basis of radar modeling techniques. Radar-derived joint probability distributions are calculated for determining path attenuation and statistical formulation. The computational aspects of the model are discussed in terms of the data base, determining path length and converting statistics to other path angles. The results are presented in terms of prediction accuracy, predicted joint probability distributions, diversity gain, and the autocorrection function. When compared to other models, this model's rain-derived relative diversity gain shows good agreement.

Goldhirsh, J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Radar prediction of absolute rain fade distributions for earth-satellite paths and general methods for extrapolation of fade statistics to other locations

The first absolute rain fade distribution method described establishes absolute fade statistics at a given site by means of a sampled radar data base. The second method extrapolates absolute fade statistics from one location to another, given simultaneously measured fade and rain rate statistics at the former. Both methods employ similar conditional fade statistic concepts and long term rain rate distributions. Probability deviations in the 2-19% range, with an 11% average, were obtained upon comparison of measured and predicted levels at given attenuations. The extrapolation of fade distributions to other locations at 28 GHz showed very good agreement with measured data at three sites located in the continental temperate region.

Goldhirsh, J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Relative motion characteristics of 2 near-Earth Satellites

The stability of the nonlinear dynamical system of two GRAVSAT - type satellites was investigated by performing several numerical experiments which provide the simulations of the relative motion characteristics between the two satellites for various specified time intervals. The simulations included the relative range, range-rate, and relative acceleration magnitude. These simulations were generated with respect to appropriate initial orbital elements which were obtained such that the instantaneous separation distance between the two satellites has small fluctuations from a specified constant separation distance. The simulation results indicate that the behavior of the relative motions is very sensitive to the initial orbital elements of the satellites and that for a specified time interval of interest. A stable behavior is possible only with the use of an appropriate set of initial orbital elements compatible with the gravity field used to derive them.

Schutz, B. E.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Meteorological factors in Earth-Satellite propagation

A 5-meter paraboloidal antenna operated at 28 GHz showed gain changes of 2 dB due to rain. While precise estimation of the corresponding angle of arrival changes is difficult, they appear to have been on the order of 0.02 degrees. The attenuation at 28.6 GHz inferred from radiometry agreed well with that measured simultaneously over a satellite/Earth link at the same frequency. The radiometers so calibrated have been used to add to the available site diversity data base using a 9 km baseline. An improved empirical model of site diversity gain was obtained by applying regression techniques to available published data. A brief review of the literature has led to suggestions for two experimental programs, one dealing with multifrequency radiometry and the other with the effects of the stochastic properties of precipitation on wideband data transmission.

Levis, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Remote sensing of tree attenuation at 870 MHz along simulated Earth-satellite paths

Tree attenuation at 870 MHz was studied using a helicopter as a source platform and a van with receiver and data acquisition instrumentation. Tree attenuation results were obtained with the van stationary and in motion to determine land mobile satellite systems link parameter requirements (expected fading due to roadside trees for mobile and stationary vehicles). Single tree attenuation results give worst case median fades as high as 15 dB although roadside tree values produce fades greater than 20 dB for small percentages of time. The cumulative fade distributions and their relative contributions as a function of path elevation angle, right side versus left side driving, and different road types are derived from the field measurements.

Vogel, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Site diversity for satellite earth terminals and measurements at 28 GHz

This paper reviews site diversity concepts and models and presents the results of a site diversity experiment, in which radiometers were used to measure attenuation on earth-space paths, performed at Columbus, Ohio, for a period of one year. Attenuation statistics are presented first in the form of the joint probability density function of attenuation at the two sites. From these are derived the cumulative two-dimensional distribution of attenuation at both sites, the cumulative distribution of attenuation at each site, the effective cumulative distribution of attenuation for a diversity system that always switches to the better of two signals, and the effective cumulative distribution of attenuation for a system with maximal-ratio signal combining. The switched-system diversity gain is compared with Hodge's predictive model, and the diversity improvement is compared with Boithias' model. Fade-duration and interfade-interval statistics are also presented for each site and for systems that employ switching and maximal-ratio combining. Rain-rate and interrainfall interval statistics are also included.

Lin, Kuan-Ting↗