Tracking of the Beacon-explorer Satellites with Laser Beams
Laser beam tracking of Beacon Explorer satellites
RUBY LASER↗
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Tracking of the Beacon-Explorer satellites with laser beams.
Accurate tracking of Beacon-Explorer orbiting optical reflectors, using pulsed ruby laser beams
RUBY LASER↗
A multiple-access satellite relay system for low data rate users
Broad beam Tracking Data Relay Satellite /TDRS/ for manned and automated spacecraft using VHF bands
Gilchriest, C. E.↗
Inclusive angular distribution of alpha and Li fragments produced in the Fe-C and Fe-Pb collisions at 1.88 GeV/u
The LS (laboratory system) emission angles theta for 2188 and 298 Li fragments, produced inclusively in relativistic Fe-C and Fe-Pb collisions, have been measured in reference to incident Fe-ion beam tracks nearby in nuclear emulsion. An empirical differential frequency formula, dN(cot theta) = exp (a + b cot theta)d(cot theta) is obtained with the constant b approx. = -0.026 at 1.88 GeV/u, which seems to be independent on the kinds of target nucleus as well as on the kinds of projectile fragments.
Kim, C. O.↗
Optical-communication systems for deep-space applications
The feasibility of using optical communication systems for data telemetry from deep space vehicles to Earth based receivers is evaluated. Performance analysis shows that practical, photon counting optical systems can transmit data reliably at 30 to 40 dB high rates than existing RF systems, or can be used to extend the communication range by 15 to 20 dB. The advantages of pulse-position modulation (PPM) formats are discussed, and photon counting receiver structures designed for PPM decoding are described. The effects of background interference and weather on receiver performance are evaluated. Some consideration is given to tracking and beam pointing operations, since system performance ultimately depends on the accuracy to which these operations can be carried out. An example of a tracking and pointing system utilizing an optical uplink beacon is presented, and it is shown that microradian beam pointing is within the capabilities of state-of-the-art technology. Recommendations for future theoretical studies and component development programs are presented.
Vilnrotter, V. A.↗
Electronic Switching Spherical Array (ESSA) antenna systems
ESSA (Electronic Switching Spherical Array) is an antenna system conceived, developed and qualified for linking satellite data transmissions with NASA's tracking and data relay satellites (TDRSS) and tracking and data acquisition satellites (TDAS). ESSA functions in the S band frequency region, cover 2 pi or more steradians with directional gain and operates in multiple selectable modes. ESSA operates in concert with the NASA's TDRS standard transponder in the retrodirective mode or independently in directional beam, program track and special modes. Organizations and projects to the ESSA applications for NASA's space use are introduced. Coverage gain, weight power and implementation and other performance information for satisfying a wide range of data rate requirements are included.
Hockensmith, R. P.↗
Laser system detects tower deflections
Continuously measure and record deflection of facility during testing. Facility deflections are then subtracted from shroud deflections during data reduction on computer. System is based on tracking light beam by using two-axis photo detector and feeding signals into X and Y servo system.
Fabik, R. H.↗
Lead and uranium group abundances in cosmic rays
The importance of Lead and Uranium group abundances in cosmic rays is discussed in understanding their evolution and propagation. The electronic detectors can provide good charge resolution but poor data statistics. The plastic detectors can provide somewhat better statistics but charge resolution deteriorates. The extraterrestrial crystals can provide good statistics but with poor charge resolution. Recent studies of extraterrestrial crystals regarding their calibration to accelerated uranium ion beam and track etch kinetics are discussed. It is hoped that a charge resolution of two charge units can be achieved provided an additional parameter is taken into account. The prospects to study abundances of Lead group, Uranium group and superheavy element in extraterrestrial crystals are discussed, and usefulness of these studies in the light of studies with electronic and plastic detectors is assessed.
Yadav, J. S.↗
Investigation of electro-optical techniques for controlling the direction of a laser beam. part 1- beam deflector devices. part 2- beam deflector systems interim report
System for optical acquisition and tracking, and laser beam deflector devices - electro-optical techniques for controlling direction of laser beam flow
ELECTRO-OPTICS↗
Application of variable structure system theory to aircraft flight control
The current status of research on the application of variable structure system (VSS) theory to design aircraft flight control systems is summarized. Two aircraft types are currently being investigated: the Augmentor Wing Jet STOL Research Aircraft (AWJSRA), and AV-8A Harrier. The AWJSRA design considers automatic control of longitudinal dynamics during the landing phase. The main task for the AWJSRA is to design an automatic landing system that captures and tracks a localizer beam. The control task for the AV-8A is to track velocity commands in a hovering flight configuration. Much effort was devoted to developing computer programs that are needed to carry out VSS design in a multivariable frame work, and in becoming familiar with the dynamics and control problems associated with the aircraft types under investigation. Numerous VSS design schemes were explored, particularly for the AWJSRA. The approaches that appear best suited for these aircraft types are presented. Examples are given of the numerical results currently being generated.
Calise, A. J.↗
A system for re-entry tracking of the Apollo spacecraft
Wide beam radio interferometer system for reentry tracking of Apollo spacecraft
APOLLO SPACECRAFT↗
Optical components and technology in laser space communications systems
Optical components and technology for acquisition, tracking, transmit-beam offset and background noise discrimination functions in optical space communications
Chi, C.↗
Low cost tracking Navaids error model verification
Features and characteristics of the tracking navaids (Microwave Scanning Beam Landing System, Radar Altimeter, Tacan, rendezvous radar and one way Doppler extracter) were investigated. From the investigation, a set of specifications were developed for building equipment to verify the error model of the tracking navaids. Breadboard verification equipment (BVE) was built for the Microwave Scanning Beam Landing System and the radar altimeter. The breadboard verification equipment generates signals to the tracking navaids which simulate the space shuttles trajectory in the terminal area. The BVE simulates sources of navaids error by generating pseudorandom perturbations on the navaids signals. Differences between the trajectory value and the navaid derived values are taped and form the basis for the navaids error model.
Charych, A.↗
Digital optical recorder-reproducer system
A mass archival optical recording and reproduction system includes a recording light source such as a laser beam focussed and directed upon an acousto-optic linear modulator array (or page composer) that receives parallel blocks of data converted from a serial stream of digital data to be stored. The page composer imparts to the laser beam modulation representative of a plurality of parallel channels of data and through focussing optics downstream of the page composer parallel arrays of optical spots are recorded upon a suitable recording medium such as a photographic film floppy disc. The recording medium may be substantially frictionlessly and stably positioned for recording at a record/read station by an air-bearing platen arrangement which is preferably thermodynamically non-throttling so that the recording film may be positioned in the path of the information-carrying light beam in a static or dynamic mode. During readout, the page composer is bypassed and a readout light beam is focussed directly upon the recording medium containing an array of previously recorded digital spots, a sync bit, data positioning bits, and a tracking band. The readout beam which has been directed through the recording medium is then imaged upon a photodetector array, the output of which may be coupled to suitable electronic processing circuitry, such as a digital multiplexer, whereby the parallel spot array is converted back into the original serial data stream.
Reddersen, Brad R.↗
Method of directing a laser beam with very high accuracy
System will collimate and direct an argon laser beam with high angular tracking accuracy at objects on the moons surface. It can be adapted to missile and satellite tracking.
Allen, L. H.↗
System measurements of a CO2 laser communications link
Measurements were made under simulated operating conditions to establish the capability of a CO2 laser transmitting heterodyne receiver link to acquire weak laser transmitter beams and maintain spatial tracking during communications. For the case of a synchronous satellite-to-earth station link, analysis and laboratory measurements indicate that the infrared heterodyne receiver subsystem is capable of performing the acquisition, acquisition confirm, and spatial tracking functions at IF signal-to-noise ratio of -17 dB. For the case of a low-altitude satellite-to-earth station link, the laser transmit signal is Doppler-shifted due to the difference in relative velocity of the two stations. The resultant Doppler frequency shift varies with time and must be spectrally acquired and tracked.
Peyton, B. J.↗
Optical deep space communication via relay satellite
The possible use of an optical for high rate data transmission from a deep space vehicle to an Earth-orbiting relay satellite while RF links are envisioned for the relay to Earth link was studied. A preliminary link analysis is presented for initial sizing of optical components and power levels, in terms of achievable data rates and feasible range distances. Modulation formats are restricted to pulsed laser operation, involving bot coded and uncoded schemes. The advantage of an optical link over present RF deep space link capabilities is shown. The problems of acquisition, pointing and tracking with narrow optical beams are presented and discussed. Mathematical models of beam trackers are derived, aiding in the design of such systems for minimizing beam pointing errors. The expected orbital geometry between spacecraft and relay satellite, and its impact on beam pointing dynamics are discussed.
Gagliardi, R. M.↗
Characteristics of tracks of ions of 14 less than or equal to Z less than or equal to 36 in common rock silicates.
Identification of heavy ion tracks in minerals by measurements of track etch rates and total etchable track lengths were irradiated with beams of Si, Cl, Ti, Fe, Zn, and Kr at energies up to 10.35 MeV/nucleon. Nine minerals commonly used to study fossil cosmic ray tracks in meteorites and lunar samples. From measurements of etched track length as a function of residual range, response curves for various minerals were determined as a function of ionization rate, using the expression previously derived by Price et al. (1968). These curves increase smoothly with ionization rate instead of rising abruptly at some critical value as was previously thought. It is shown that the track etch rate concept accounts qualitatively for total etchable track length distributions, but that the positions of the peaks of different elements in these histograms occur at shorter lengths for fossil tracks than for fresh tracks. Annealing data indicate that, at maximum lunar surface temperatures, tracks in olivine, orthopyroxenes, and feldspars may be significantly shortened, whereas tracks in clinopyroxenes will not be affected.
Price, P. B.↗