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At least 55 records · Page 3

ATS-6 - Satellite-to-satellite tracking and data relay experiments

The paper describes the utilization of ATS-6 to relay tracking and telemetry data from Geos-5 and then from Nimbus-6. The experiment configuration consists of a ground station which receives data from ATS-6 through C-band links; ATS-6, in turn, transmits command data and receives telemetry data from the low-orbit satellites through S-band links. The ground and satellite equipment are described along with results of ground tests.

Schmid, P. E.

Electron content of the ionosphere and the plasma sphere on the basis of ATS-6-Data, NNSS-data, and ionograms

The reported investigation takes into account data obtained with the aid of the geostationary satellite ATS-6, the satellites of the U.S. navy navigation system (NNSS) at an altitude between 900 and 1200 km, and the satellites ISIS 1 and ISIS 2. The altitude range between ground and ATS-6 is divided into two regions, including the 'ionosphere', involving the region with an upper limit of 2000 km, and the 'plasma sphere', involving the region above an altitude of 2000 km. Data concerning the electron content obtained from different sources are compared, taking into account discrepancies between ionogram-derived values and values computed on the basis of satellite measurements. Attention is also given to the vertical electron content of the ionosphere on the basis of a combination of data obtained with the aid of the ATS-6 and the NNSS.

Leitinger, R.

Reduction and analysis of ATS-6 data

The reduction of data obtained by the experiment on ATS-6 is presented and a scientific analysis of the data is included. During the period covered significant progress was made in both reduction and analysis of ATS-6 data. The relationship between the direction of the interplanetary magnetic field and the fluxes of energetic electrons at the synchronous altitude was clarified, and a simple model of the energetic electron environment as observed by ATS-6 was developed and a simple empirical relationship was extended, which predicts the maximum energetic electron flux to be expected at the synchronous orbit.

Paulikas, G. A.

ATS-6 solar cell experiment/improvement

ATS 6 solar cell flight experiment data through 2 years of synchronous orbit operation are presented. Comparisons are made of the performances of the 13 different types of solar cell/cover configurations, including new cover processes and materials, and the COMSAT violet cell. These performances are also compared to the performances of the LES 6 solar cell experiment, the ATS 6 main solar arrays, and the Hughes Aircraft Company solar arrays, and to laboratory spectrum electron irradiations. It was found that the cells of the ATS 6 experiment generally performed as expected through 6 to 9 months in orbit, but that at 2 years they were more severely degraded than expected.

Goldhammer, L. J.

Design and testing of the navigation model for three axis stabilized earth oriented satellites applied to the ATS-6 satellite image data base

An earth edge methodology has been developed to account for the relative attitude changes between successive ATS-6 images which allows reasonable high quality wind sets to be produced. The method consists of measuring the displacements of the right and left infrared earth edges between successive ATS-6 images as a function of scan line; from these measurements the attitude changes can be deduced and used to correct the apparent cloud displacement measurements. The wind data sets generated from ATS-6 using the earth-edge methodology were compared with those derived from the SMS-1 images (and model) covering the same time period. Quantitative comparisons for low level trade cumuli were made at interpolated uniformly spaced grid points and for selected individual comparison clouds. Selected individual comparison clouds, the root-mean-square differences for the U and V components were 1.0 and 1.2 meters per second with a maximum wind direction difference of 15 deg.

Kuhlow, W. W.

ATS-6 flight accelerometers

Five accelerometers mounted near the adapter base of the Titan 3-C launch vehicle and three on the hub of the ATS-F spacecraft provided (1) data for verifying basic spacecraft mode shapes and frequencies during powered flight while attached to the launch vehicle; (2) failure mode detection and diagnostic information on in-flight anomalies; and (3) data to be used in the design of future spacecraft to be flown on the Titan 3-C. Because data from the instruments mounted on the spacecraft hub passed through an in-flight disconnect at the separation plane between the transtage and ATS-F, the moment this connector was broken, the signal to the telemetry system showed a step function change. By monitoring these telemetry traces on the ground at appropriate times during flight sequences, a positive indication of spacecraft separation was obtained. Flight data showing dynamic response at spacecraft launch vehicle interface and at the top of ATS spacecraft during significant launch events are presented in tables.

Mattson, R.

ATS-6 solar cell flight experiment through 2 years in orbit

ATS-6 solar cell flight experiment data through 2 years of synchronous orbit operation are presented. Comparisons are made of the performances of the 13 different types of solar cell/cover configurations, including new cover processes and materials, and the Comsat violet cell. These performances are also compared: (1) to the performances of the LES-6 solar cell experiment, the ATS-6 main solar arrays, and the Hughes Aircraft Company solar arrays, and (2) to laboratory spectrum electron irradiations. It was found that the cells of the ATS-6 experiment generally performed as expected through 6 to 9 months in orbit, but that at 2 years they were more severely degraded than expected.

Goldhammer, L. J.

Improvement and extension of data from ATS-6 Solar Cell Radiation Damage Experiment (SCRDE)

The ATS 6 solar cell radiation damage experiment data through 2 1/3 years of synchronous orbit operation are presented. Comparisons are made of the performances of the 13 different types of solar cell/cover configurations, including solar cell and cover thickness variations, base resistivity variation, new cover processes and materials, and the COMSAT violet cell. These performances are also compared to the performance of the LES 6 solar cell experiment, the ATS 6 main solar arrays, and laboratory spectrum electron irradiations. It is found that the cells of the ATS 6 experiment generally performed as expected through 6 to 9 months in orbit, but that at 2 1/3 years they were severely degraded in current. The short circuit current degradation after 2 1/3 years in orbit appears to exhibit an anomalous additional degradation of 5 to 9 percent over what was experienced in synchronous orbit operation.

Goldhammer, L. J.

A comparison of cloud motion winds from ATS 6 images with coinciding SMS 1 winds

A methodology is developed for accurate measurement of cloud motion winds from the geosynchronous ATS 6 image data. Attitude changes between consecutive images (as a function of scan-line number) are accounted for in wind computations through measurement of the earth-edge displacements between the successive infrared images. Also, an image matching procedure is used to remove obvious and distracting image distortions. The availability of SMS imagery coinciding with ATS 6 imagery makes SMS an excellent reference against which the quality of ATS 6 winds can be tested. The resulting winds inferred from cloud displacement measurements taken from a sequence of the corrected images are found to agree better than 2 m/sec rms with winds measured from coincident SMS 1 imagery.

Kuhlow, W. W.

VHF Ranging and Position Fixing Experiment Using ATS Satellites: Final Report on Phases 1 and 2, 25 November 1968 - 1 May 1971

The testing program with the ATS-1 and ATS-3 spacecraft showed that geostationary satellites can provide superior communications and position surveillance for mobile craft. Inexpensive modifications to conventional mobile communications equipment aboard the craft can provide reliable, high quality voice and digital communications with distant ground stations and other vehicles, and automatic surveillance of the positions of all the craft by a ground facility. The tests also demonstrated the location and automatic readout of remote data collection platforms. Frequency modulation signals with the narrow audio and radio frequency bandwidths of terrestrial mobile radio communications were relayed through the VHF transponders of the geostationary satellites. The voice and digital communications were far superior in reliability and quality to long-distance mobile communications by other means. It was shown that one satellite can provide nearly uniform high quality performance over approximately one-third of the earth's surface. Position fixes by range measurement from the two satellites were accurate to approximately one nautical mile, except near the equator and the poles.

Source record

High-power S-band experiment study: Objectives, description, planning and operation of experiment for ATS-G spacecraft

The results of a study to develop and define requirements for the high power S-band experiment for the ATS-G are summarized. The objectives of the experiment are: (1) to demonstrate high power technology at S-band frequencies in orbiting spacecraft, (2) to employ high power carrier from the spacecraft for conducting interference measurements with Instructional Television Fixed Service systems, and (3) to provide means for performing educationally oriented applications experiments. Experiment organization and operation, and hardware for flight on the ATS-G spacecraft are described. Earth stations designed for the experiment as well as other special ground equipment are also described.

Walp, R. M.

ATS-5 signal characteristics at 15.3 GHz and related experiments at 15 and 35 GHz. Part 1: Basic features of the experiments and primary results

The results are presented of observations by the University of Texas of the 15.3 GHz experiment associated with the ATS-5 satellite and of related experiments designed to provide information on earth-satellite communication links at 15.3 and 31.65 GHz. The 15.3 GHz transmissions were observed at Austin, Texas over an eighteen month interval primarily during periods of rain. Measurements were also made at Mount Locke, near Fort Davis, Texas but only for a period of two months. Essentially continuous measurements were made at Austin, Texas of the sky temperature at 35 GHz looking in the direction of the ATS-5 satellite over an interval of four months. Point-to-point transmissions over the earth's surface at 15 and 35 GHz and various meteorological parameters were studied as possible means of predicting performance over a satellite-earth path.

Straiton, A. W.

Satellite auxiliary-propulsion selection techniques. Applications of selection techniques to the ATS-H satellite

The analysis required to estimate auxiliary-propulsion system requirements for a mission which includes tipoff rate reduction, acquisitions, disturbance torques, orbital disturbances, and spacecraft commanded maneuvers is presented. The comparison of several candidate auxiliary-propulsion systems and system combinations for an advanced applications technology satellite (ATS-H) is described. A generalized auxiliary-propulsion system tradeoff, based on mission cost effectiveness criteria, is examined. The specific mission assumptions for the ATS-H spacecraft are included, along with a discussion of the sensitivity of the final selection to these assumptions.

Holcomb, L. B.

Automated cloud tracking using precisely aligned digital ATS pictures.

An interactive man-computer system, termed WINDCO, which was developed to measure cloud motions from pictures obtained by the ATS-I and ATS-III satellites, is described. The system will measure motions to at least three knots at moderate cost in a real-time environment. Accuracy could be improved by a factor of 4 by incorporating high-resolution visible SMS data.

Smith, E. A.

ATS-F millimeter wave propagation experiment data processing.

Review of the data processing program for the Applications Technology Satellite (ATS-F) scheduled for launch in 1973. The program consists of: (1) short term processing, which utilizes analog data recording and produces amplitude scintillation and time-frequency correlation studies; and (2) long term processing, which utilizes digitally recorded data to provide hourly and daily statistical output functions. The data acquisition and processing program planned for the ATS-F experiment provides a highly automated environment which emphasizes the unique requirements for the characterization of the propagation medium in the frequency bands required for the next generation of space communication systems.

Ippolito, L. J.

The 20 and 30 GHz communications system for the ATS-F millimeter wave experiment.

The first space communications system operating at millimeter wavelengths is planned for the sixth Applications Technology Satellite (ATS-F), scheduled for launch in May of 1973. The ATS-F experiment is designed to provide engineering data on wideband space-to-earth transmissions at 20 and 30 GHz as a function of meteorological conditions and modulation techniques. The system design for both the spacecraft and ground station portions of the experiment is presented, and the unique design characteristics of these relatively new and unexplored frequency bands are emphasized. The experiment is designed to provide wideband 1440-MHz propagation links and 40-Megabit communications links with simultaneous operation at 20, 30, and 4 GHz for link comparisons.

Ippolito, L. J.

ATS-1/ATS-3 dual satellite navigation study

A study which illustrated the feasibility of implementing an on-board aircraft navigation system based on using the ATS-1 and ATS-3 satellites, the modified Omega Position Location Equipment (OPLE) Control Center, and a suitable aircraft terminal was conducted. The report provides: (1) a consideration of the problems of satellite navigation and an objective definition of the optimum system under the constraints of its specified components, (2) a description of the necessary modifications to the OPLE Control Center, the design of an aircraft terminal, and the design of ground reference terminals, and (3) an outline of an experiment plan and an estimate of the cost to be expected in conducting the program.

Hoover, W. M.