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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 397 records · Page 22
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1991

Investigation of Techniques for Simulating Communications and Tracking Subsystems on Space Station Freedom

The need to reduce the costs of Space Station Freedom has resulted in a major redesign and downsizing of the Station in general, and its Communications and Tracking (C&T) components in particular. Earlier models and simulations of the C&T Space-to-Ground Subsystem (SGS) in particular are no longer valid. There thus exists a general need for updated, high fidelity simulations of C&T subsystems. This project explored simulation techniques and methods that might be used in developing new simulations of C&T subsystems, including the SGS. Three requirements were placed on the simulations to be developed: (1) they run on IBM PC/XT/AT compatible computers; (2) they be written in Ada as much as possible; and (3) since control and monitoring of the C&T subsystems will involve communication via a MIL-STD-1553B serial bus, that the possibility of commanding the simulator and monitoring its sensors via that bus be included in the design of the simulator. The result of the project is a prototype of a simulation of the Assembly/Contingency Transponder of the SGS, written in Ada, which can be controlled from another PC via a MIL-STD-1553B bus.

Deacetis, Louis A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Demonstration of a joint US-Russian very long baseline interferometry tracking capability

This article discusses results of the first very long baseline interferometric (VLBI) measurements between antennas of the NASA DSN and the Russian three-station spacecraft tracking network. The VLBI systems of the U.S. and Russian tracking networks are described, and their compatibility for joint U.S.-Russian measurements is discussed. The results of a series of VLBI measurements involving Deep Space Stations and Russian tracking antennas are presented. The purpose of these first observations is to establish the compatibility of the two VLBI recording systems and verify that data recorded on these systems can be successfully correlated. The delay and delay rate observables produced by correlation of the recorded data are then used to estimate the locations of the Russian tracking stations relative to the Deep Space Stations. These first experiments, carried out at 1.7 GHz, are precursors to a future series of observations at 2 and 8 GHz, which will provide far more accurate station location estimates. The capability of the VLBI systems for joint U.S.-Russian spacecraft navigation measurements is also discussed.

Kroger, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Station position results using concentrated C-band tracking of GEOS-3

Station positions for the GEOS 3 C Band tracking network were estimated using C Band and laser data taken during a two-week concentrated tracking period. The C Band stations are located primarily in the continental United States and on Western Atlantic islands. The network, however, included stations in Hawaii, in West Germany, and on Kwajalein atoll. Estimated accuracies for the recovered positions are 2 m for the continental U. S. and Atlantic sites, 5 m for Hawaii, and 10 m for Kwajalein. The dominant contributor to these uncertainties is geopotential model error. Thus, the C Band/laser data set could be used for more accurate center-of-mass positioning of a continental network of stations.

Krabill, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Communications, tracking, and docking on the Space Station

Many of the communications, tracking, and docking functions on a large manned orbiting Space Station - one that is modular and made of metal - will have to be performed by optical systems out of necessity. This paper discusses four practical approaches to accomplishing Space Station functions using optical communications technology. It also provides the results of preliminary experiments involved in the design of particular systems. Major operational factors considered in each system design include: (a) electromagnetic interference problems, (b) data bandwidth requirements, (c) zero-gravity operations, (d) free-space operations, (e) data security, and (f) modular expansion of the Space Station structure. The technologies discussed are the following: (a) local infrared communications, (b) optical tracking and docking techniques, (c) long distance free space optical communications, and (d) local area optical networks.

Erwin, H. O.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Structural dynamic interaction with solar tracking control for evolutionary Space Station concepts

The paper addresses the sun tracking control system design of the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) and the interaction of the control system with the flexible structure of Space Station Freedom (SSF) evolutionary concepts. The significant components of the Space Station pertaining to the SARJ control are described, and the tracking control system design is presented. Finite element models representing two evolutionary concepts, Enhanced Operations Capability (EOC) and Extended Operations Capability (XOC), are employed to evaluate the influence of low frequency flexible structure on the control system design and performance. The design variables of the control system are synthesized using a constrained optimization technique to meet design requirements, to provide a given level of control system stability margin, and to achieve the most responsive tracking performance. The resulting SARJ control system design and performance of the EOC and XOC configurations are presented and compared to those of the SSF configuration.

Lim, Tae W.↗
NASA NTRS1966

Proposed Optical Network for the National Geodetic Satellite Program

The Ohio State University has been requested by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to conduct a multi-year study and analysis of data from satellites launched specifically for geodetic purposes and from other satellites useful in geodetic studies. The program includes analysis of positions derived from photographic observations of both reflecting and emitting satellites, from range observations and from any other suitable but similar types of data. The final result is supposed to be a geocentric-geodetic datum for the whole earth with connections to all major datums and NASA supported stations.

TRACKING STATION↗
NASA NTRS1977

Tracking and data system support for the Viking 1975 mission to Mars. Volume 1: Prelaunch planning, implementation, and testing

The tracking and data acquisition support for the 1975 Viking Missions to Mars is described. The history of the effort from its inception in late 1968 through the launches of Vikings 1 and 2 from Cape Kennedy in August and September 1975 is given. The Viking mission requirements for tracking and data acquisition support in both the near earth and deep space phases involved multiple radar tracking and telemetry stations, and communications networks together with the global network of tracking stations, communications, and control center. The planning, implementation, testing and management of the program are presented.

Mudgway, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Error studies for ground tracking of synchronous satellites

The results of various sets of tracking error analysis studies of the ability of ground stations to determine the position and velocity of synchronous satellites are summarized. The effects of varying: (1) the ground station configuration from 1 to 6 tracking stations in differing locations; (2) the ground station measurement type such as S-Band, C-Band, VHF, and lasers and (3) the uncertainties in ground station location are investigated. The linear error analysis computer program used includes the effects of ground tracking station location uncertainties, measurement noise and biases, and station timing bias. Results show that two ground trackers are needed if at least 2000 meters position accuracy is desired, with a favorable two-station solution giving less than 500 meters position accuracy. Under favorable circumstances, a multi-station laser solution gives a synchronous satellite position accuracy of less than 100 meters. The various cases illustrate features of synchronous satellite tracking from ground stations.

Cooley, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Mark 3 correlator hardware and software

The Mark 3 correlator system is described in some detail. The correlator system is based on a modular philosophy. Each correlator module independently processes the data from one track pair. Therefore, 28 modules are necessary to complete a full one baseline processor and 84 modules for a full 3 baseline processor. Each correlator module has two interfaces: (1) data and clock from each of the two tracks to be correlated and (2) Computer Automated Measurement and Control (CAMAC) dataway interface to the computer. The processor is organized around the IEEE CAMAC standard architecture, housing 15 correlator modules in each of 6 crates. This allows one pass processing of a full 3 baseline 28 track observation or a 6 baseline (4 station) 14 track observation. The correlator architecture allows easy expansion for up to 8 stations. The computer system is an HP 1000 system utilizing a 16 bit minicomputer with disc and tape peripherals. The processing software is also organized in a modular fashion with many independent but cooperative programs controlling the operation of the Mark 3 processor. Processing time through the correlator is normally real time or faster, with graphics displays providing real time monitor and control of the processing operation.

Whitney, A. R.↗
NASA NTRS1966

Venus Station operations

Venus station transmitting and receiving systems during Mariner IV tracking

MARINER IV SPACE PROBE↗
NASA NTRS2013

Navigating a Crewed Lunar Vehicle Using LiASION

This paper examines the benefits of navigating a crewed vehicle at the Moon using both ground tracking and satellite-to-satellite tracking, where the tracking satellite is stationed in a lunar halo orbit. Linked Autonomous Interplanetary Satellite Orbit Navigation (LiAISON) is a new technique that has been shown to dramatically improve the navigation of lunar satellites, libration orbiters, and Earth orbiting satellites using simple scalar satellite-to-satellite observations, such as range or Doppler. In this paper, LiAISON is applied to the problem of navigations a crewed vehicle in low lunar orbit. It has been found that adding LiAISON observations to a ground navigation solution improves the navigation enough to reduce the number of active ground tracking stations from six to three.

Linked Autonomous Interplanetary Satellite Orbit N↗
NASA NTRS1966

Flight project support

Deep Space Stations flight support operations for Surveyor II, Lunar Orbiter I, Pioneer VI and VII, Mariner IV, and Atlas Centaur

TRACKING STATION↗