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At least 55 records · Page 3

Development of three-way ranging for the Voyager Neptune encounter

Range data will be used to help navigate Voyager 2 to Neptune and the most distant planetary encounter ever attempted. In preparation for this challenging August 1989 planetary encounter, a new data type, known as 'three-way range', has been developed. With three-way ranging, a ranging signal generated at a ground station, received at the spacecraft and transponded to Earth is then received coherently at a second tracking station, which can be distant from the transmitting station. This paper contains analytic and operational descriptions of three-way range. Hardware modifications and design necessary for implementing this new data type are discussed. Preliminary assessments of three-way ranging performance are given and accuracies are discussed.

Roth, D. C.↗

Spatial Extent of a Deep Moonquake Nest: A Preliminary Report of Reexamination

Deep moonquakes, occurring at depths about halfway to the center of the Moon, were discovered during the Apollo lunar landing missions, 1969-1972. Their near-monthly occurrence with nearly identical waveforms at any given seismic station suggests that they are strongly influenced by tides, caused by the Earth and the Sun, acting on certain limited regions of the deep lunar interior. However, much about them is unknown, why they are restricted to certain depths and to limited source regions (nests), and what they tell us about the nature of the material and dynamics of the interior of the Moon. A piece of information helpful to decipher their true nature is the spatial extent and distribution of their hypocenters. The occurrence of nearly identical waveforms suggests groups of hypocenters appear in close proximity to one another, but can we tell how closely they are located and how they are distributed? The Apollo PSE (Passive Seismic Experiment) data from all stations of the seismic network were received in real time at a common receiving station on Earth in digital form. This provided extremely high inter-station timing accuracy not achievable for most earthquake data on Earth at that time. We took advantage of this to compute relative locations of waveform-matched events, and concluded that deep moonquake foci in the A1 moonquake nest were concentrated on a nearly horizontal plane of less than 1 km in diameter. This earlier study was based on deep moonquake events visually identified on seismograms. A recent reanalysis of earlier unidentified seismic events fully utilizing the high capability of present-day computers expanded the list of positively identified deep moonquakes by more than a factor of five. The new list contains many events that are not visually matched in waveforms, yet correlated at a significant level when cross-correlated with a computer. Thus it became imperative to reexamine the spatial distribution of deep moonquake hypocenters including the newly identified events. Additional information is included in the original extended abstract.

Nakamura, Yosio↗

System and Method for Network Bandwidth, Buffers and Timing Management Using Hybrid Scheduling of Traffic with Different Priorities and Guarantees

Systems and methods for network bandwidth, buffers and timing management using hybrid scheduling of traffic with different priorities and guarantees are provided. In certain embodiments, a method of managing network scheduling and configuration comprises, for each transmitting end station, reserving one exclusive buffer for each virtual link to be transmitted from the transmitting end station; for each receiving end station, reserving exclusive buffers for each virtual link to be received at the receiving end station; and for each switch, reserving a exclusive buffer for each virtual link to be received at an input port of the switch. The method further comprises determining if each respective transmitting end station, receiving end station, and switch has sufficient capability to support the reserved buffers; and reporting buffer infeasibility if each respective transmitting end station, receiving end station, and switch does not have sufficient capability to support the reserved buffers.

Varadarajan, Srivatsan↗

Power Spectrum of Atmospheric Scintillation for the Deep Space Network Goldstone Ka-Band Downlink

Dynamic signal fluctuations due to atmospheric scintillations may impair the Ka-band (around 32-GHz) link sensitivities for a low-margin Deep Space Network (DSN) receiving system. The ranges of frequency and power of the fast fluctuating signals (time scale less than 1 min) are theoretically investigated using the spatial covariance and turbulence theory. Scintillation power spectrum solutions are derived for both a point receiver and a finite-aperture receiver. The aperture-smoothing frequency ((omega(sub s)), corner frequency ((omega(sub c)), and damping rate are introduced to define the shape of the spectrum for a finite-aperture antenna. The emphasis is put on quantitatively describing the aperture-smoothing effects and graphically estimating the corner frequency for a large aperture receiver. Power spectral shapes are analyzed parametrically in detail through both low- and high-frequency approximations. It is found that aperture-averaging effects become significant when the transverse correlation length of the scintillation is smaller than the antenna radius. The upper frequency or corner frequency for a finite-aperture receiver is controlled by both the Fresnel frequency and aperture-smoothing frequency. Above the aperture-smoothing frequency, the spectrum rolls off at a much faster rate of exp (-omega(sup 2)/omega(sup 2, sub s), rather than omega(sup -8/3), which is customary for a point receiver. However, a relatively higher receiver noise level can mask the fast falling-off shape and make it hard to be identified. We also predict that when the effective antenna radius a(sub r) less than or = 6 m, the corner frequency of its power spectrum becomes the same as that for a point receiver. The aperture-smoothing effects are not obvious. We have applied these solutions to the scenario of a DSN Goldstone 34-m-diameter antenna and predicted the power spectrum shape for the receiving station. The maximum corner frequency for the receiver (with omega(sub s) = 0.79 omega(sub 0) is found to be 0.44 Hz (or 1.0 omega(sub 0), while the fading rate (or fading slope) is about 0.06 dB/s.

Ho, C.↗

Mars Mission Scenario: Data Volume and PDT Notes

Objectives of this work are: (1) Investigate methods for quantifying the value of interoperability for deep space missions: A network of optical receive stations Each one potentially owned by a different space agency. Reduces overall cost to any individual agency Provides geographically diverse locations to mitigate weather problems (clouds, wind, rain, dust, etc.) (2) Metrics: a. Total data volume returned over mission duration b. Percent data transferred (PDT) or something similar.

deep space optical communications↗

MENTOR: Adding an outlying receiver to an ST radar for meteor-wind measurement

Radar scattering from ionized meteor trails has been used for many years as a way to determine mesopause-level winds. Scattering occurs perpendicular to the trails, and since the ionizing efficiency of the incoming meteoroids depends on the cosine of the zenith angle of the radiant, echoes directly overhead are rare. Stratosphere-troposphere (ST) radars normally sample within 15 deg of the vertical, and thus receive few meteor echoes. Even the higher powdered mesosphere-stratosphere-troposphere (MST) radars are not good meteor radars, although they were used to successfully retrieved meteor winds from the Poker Flat, Alaska MST radar by averaging long data intervals. It has been suggested that a receiving station some distance from an ST radar could receive pulses being scattered from meteor trails, determine the particular ST beam in which the scattering occurred, measure the radial Doppler velocity, and thus determine the wind field. This concept has been named MENTOR (Meteor Echoes; No Transmitter, Only Receivers).

Roper, R. G.↗

Ground Calibration of an Orbiting Spacecraft Transmitter

The SeaWinds Calibration Ground Station (CGS) is a novel Ku-band receiving station that supports the June 1999-launched JPL/NASA SeaWinds scatterometer radar which measures the near-surface wind speeds over 90% of the ice-free oceans.

QuickSCAT SeaWinds Calibration Ground Station CGS↗

Vehicle Motions as Inferred from Radio-signal- Strength Records

Considerable data on various parameters of a satellite and its launching vehicle can be obtained from the received-signal-strength records at the various satellite receiver stations. The doppler shifts of the satellite can be used to determine the orbital characteristics quite accurately. (Ref. 1 discusses the rapid determination of these parameters.) Information concerning the velocity increment and direction of each stage can be obtained if doppler data are received by several stations during the high-speed staging. The variations in signal strength during launch can be used to find the spin rate of the satellite before, during, and after staging, and to find variations in attitude, including precession, during launch. With spin and precession frequencies available, any changes in the ratios of moments of inertia can be determined. In this paper the launchings of the Explorer satellites will be used as a basis for the generalized conclusions concerning utilization of radio-signal-strength records. The discussion includes a description of the Explorer launching system.

Pilkington, W. C.↗

Water-management models in Florida from ERTS-1 data

A prototype multiparameter data acquisition network, installed and operated by the U.S. Geological Survey is a viable approach for obtaining near real-time data needed to solve hydrologic problems confronting nearly 2.5 million residents of south Florida. Selected water quantity and quality data obtained from ground stations are transmitted for relay via ERTS-1 to NASA receiving stations in virtual real time. This data relay system has been very reliable and, by coupling the ground information with ERTS imagery, a modeling technique is available for water resource management in south Florida. An ecological model has been designed for the Shark River Slough in Everglades National Park.

Higer, A. L.↗

Lunar seismic data analysis

The scientific data transmitted continuously from all ALSEP (Apollo Lunar Surface Experiment Package) stations on the Moon and recorded on instrumentation tapes at receiving stations distributed around the Earth were processed. The processing produced sets of computer-compatible digital tapes, from which various other data sets convenient for analysis were generated. The seismograms were read, various types of seismic events were classified; the detected events were cataloged.

Nakamura, Y.↗

CNPq/INPE-LANDSAT system

The current status of the Brazilian LANDSAT facilities operated by Instituto de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE) and the results achieved during the period from October 1, 1984 to August 31, 1985 are presented. INPE's Receiving Station at Cuiaba, MT, operates normally the two tracking and receiving systems it has installed, the old one (1973) for Band S and the new one (February 1983) for dual S- and X-band. Both MSS and TM recording capabilities are functional. Support to the NASA Backup Plan for MSS data also remains active. Routine recordings are being made for LANDSAT-5 only, for both MSS and TM. Originally, MSS was recorded over the full acquisition range. However, since December, 1984, due to further reduction of operational expenses, both instruments are being recorded over Brazilian territory only.

Debarrosaguirre, J. L.↗

Main-Reflector Manufacturing Technology for the Deep Space Optical Communications Ground Station

The Deep Space Network (DSN) has plans to develop a 10-m-diameter optical communications receiving station. The system uses the direct detection technique, which has much different requirements from a typical astronomical telescope. The receiver must operate in daylight and nighttime conditions. This imposes special requirements on the optical system to reject stray light from the Sun and other sources. One of the biggest challenges is designing a main-reflector surface that meets these requirements and can be produced at a reasonable cost. The requirements for the performance of the reflector are presented. To date, an aspherical primary reflector has been assumed. A reflector with a spherical reflector has a major cost advantage over an aspherical design, with no sacrifice in performance. A survey of current manufacturing techniques for optical mirrors of this type was performed. Techniques including solid glass, lightweight glass, diamond-turned aluminum, and composite mirrors were investigated.

Britcliffe, M. J.↗

System concepts and design examples for optical communication with planetary spacecraft

Systems concepts for optical communication with future deep-space (planetary) spacecraft are described. These include not only the optical transceiver package aboard the distant spacecraft, but the earth-vicinity optical-communications receiving station as well. Both ground-based, and earth-orbiting receivers are considered. Design examples for a number of proposed or potential deep-space missions are then presented. These include an orbital mission to Saturn, a Lander and Rover mission to Mars, and an astronomical mission to a distance of 1000 astronomical units.

Lesh, James R.↗

International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry 2004 Annual Report

Contents include the following: Combination Studies using the Cont02 Campaign. Coordinating Center report. Analysis coordinator report. Network coordinator report. IVS Technology coordinator report. Algonquin Radio observatory. Fortaleza Station report for 2004. Gilmore Creek Geophysical Observatory. Goddard Geophysical and Astronomical observatory. Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO). Hbart, Mt Pleasant, station report for 2004. Kashima 34m Radio Telescope. Kashima and Koganei 11-m VLBI Stations. Kokee Park Geophysical Observatory. Matera GGS VLBI Station. The Medicina Station status report. Report of the Mizusawa 10m Telescope. Noto Station Activity. NYAL Ny-Alesund 20 metre Antenna. German Antarctic receiving Station (GARS) O'higgins. The IVS network station Onsala space Observatory. Sheshan VLBI Station report for 2004. 10 Years of Geodetic Experiments at the Simeiz VLBI Station. Svetloe RAdio Astronomical Observatory. JARE Syowa Station 11-m Antenna, Antarctica. Geodetic Observatory TIGO in Concepcion. Tsukuba 32-m VLBI Station. Nanshan VLBI Station Report. Westford Antenna. Fundamental-station Wettzell 20m Radiotelescope. Observatorio Astroonomico Nacional Yebes. Yellowknife Observatory. The Bonn Geodetic VLBI Operation Center. CORE Operation Center Report. U.S. Naval Observatory Operation Center. The Bonn Astro/Geo Mark IV Correlator.

Behrend, Dirk↗