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At least 901 records · Page 50

United States societal experiments via the Communications Technology Satellite

The Communications Technology Satellite (CTS) is a cooperative experimental program of the United States and Canadian governments. The CTS uses a high-power transponder at the frequencies of 14/12 GHz for two-way television and voice communication. The United States and Canada have agreed to share equally in the use of CTS. The U.S. program includes a variety of societal experiments. The ground stations for these experiments are located from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The satellite communications capabilities and the antenna coverage for the U.S. are summarized. Emphasis is placed on the U.S. societal experiments in the areas of education, health care, and community and special services; nine separate experiments are discussed.

Donoughe, P. L.↗

Network functions and facilities

The objectives, functions, and organization of the Deep Space Network are summarized; deep space station, ground communication, and network operations control capabilities are described.

Renzetti, N. A.↗

Simulation and modeling of the deep space receiver interaction with channel decoding performance

Computer models were developed in an attempt to reproduce the sequential decoder computation curve of Deep Space Network (DSN) ground station receivers, by simulation of the binary data output of the Gaussian channel with the carrier phaselock loop and the subcarrier demodulator assembly. Simulations were run at bit rates equal to the powers of 2 from 8 to 2,048, and agreement with DSN data was generally good above 32 bits per second. Simulation results at data rates of 8, 16, and 32 bits per second did not closely match experimental data. This simulation provides a more accurate prediction of DSN computation lengths than either current mathematical models or simulations without both the subcarrier demodulator and carrier loop.

Jones, H. W., Jr.↗

Network functions and facilities

The objectives, functions, and organization of the Deep Space Network are summarized; deep space station, ground communication, and network operations control capabilities are described.

Renzetti, N. A.↗

An RF link analysis of MSBLS during ALT

An analysis of the microwave scanning beam landing system (MSBLS) ground station to orbiter radio frequency (RF) link was made to determine if the expected signal levels will be compatible with orbiter receiver capabilities. Of primary interest was whether or not loss of data will occur due to interference caused by the orbiter 101 nose boom which provides additional air data during the approach and landing test. The results of the analysis indicate that a small amount of data loss may occur due to the proximity of the MSBLS antennas and the nose boom. Tabulated data of antenna radiation patterns are given.

Speir, R. E.↗

Breadboard linear array scan imager using LSI solid-state technology

The performance of large scale integration photodiode arrays in a linear array scan (pushbroom) breadboard was evaluated for application to multispectral remote sensing of the earth's resources. The technical approach, implementation, and test results of the program are described. Several self scanned linear array visible photodetector focal plane arrays were fabricated and evaluated in an optical bench configuration. A 1728-detector array operating in four bands (0.5 - 1.1 micrometer) was evaluated for noise, spectral response, dynamic range, crosstalk, MTF, noise equivalent irradiance, linearity, and image quality. Other results include image artifact data, temporal characteristics, radiometric accuracy, calibration experience, chip alignment, and array fabrication experience. Special studies and experimentation were included in long array fabrication and real-time image processing for low-cost ground stations, including the use of computer image processing. High quality images were produced and all objectives of the program were attained.

Tracy, R. A.↗

Relativity mission with two counter-orbiting polar satellites

In 1918, J. Lense and H. Thirring calculated that a moon in orbit around a massive rotating planet would experience a nodal dragging effect due to general relativity. We describe an experiment to measure this effect with two counter-orbiting drag-free satellites in polar earth orbit. For a 2 1/2 year experiment, the measurement accuracy should approach 1%. In addition to precision tracking data from existing ground stations, satellite-to-satellite Doppler ranging data are taken at points of passing near the poles. New geophysical information on both earth harmonics and tidal effects is inherent in the polar ranging data.

Van Patten, R. A.↗

The use of LANDSAT data in a Large Area Crop Inventory Experiment /LACIE/

A Large Area Crop Inventory Experiment (LACIE) has been undertaken jointly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the Department of Commerce and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to prove out an economically important application of remote sensing from space. At the outset LACIE will concentrate on wheat grown in the North American area. The experiment will combine crop area measurements obtained from LANDSAT data and meteorological information from NOAA satellites and from ground stations designed to relate weather conditions to yield assessment and ultimately to production forecasts. The Department of Agriculture will study the utilization of the experimentally derived production estimates in its crop reports. These reports are made public as a routine service to the domestic and international agriculture community. If this activity is successful and the results prove useful the application will be extended to other regions and ultimately to other crops.

Macdonald, R. B.↗

Pc 4 and Pc 5 pulsations during storm recovery

A strong pulsation event was observed in the magnetosphere near L = 5 with the flux gate magnetometer on Explorer 45. The event occurred near 2300 UT on June 18, 1972, during the recovery phase of a large magnetic storm. Explorer 45 was in the afternoon quadrant, and the event was also observed at many day side, ground level observatories at high and low latitudes. The event had a complex spectrum with distinct pulsations near 2, 6, and 14 mHz (500-, 160-, and 70-s periods). The two lower-frequency pulsations were also observed on the ground. A comparison of the frequencies and polarizations of satellite and ground observations indicates that the event was similar to events observed recently along a latitudinal chain of ground stations in Canada.

Lin, C. C.↗

Progress report on propeller aircraft flyover noise research

Initial results of a program to investigate the sources of noise in unshrouded propellers under forward flight conditions are reported. Tests were conducted using a three-blade full-scale instrumented propeller mounted on a twin-engine aircraft. Measurements included (1) far-field noise at fixed ground stations and at two aircraft wing tip locations, (2) blade surface pressures at seven locations on one of the propeller blades, (3) atmospheric turbulence encountered by the aircraft in flight, and (4) aircraft operating conditions. The results confirm that significantly lower levels of propeller noise are produced in forward flight than at static conditions. It is tentatively concluded that propeller noise generation in flight may be dominated by steady loading at blade passage frequency, but at higher frequencies unsteady loading due to interaction with natural atmospheric turbulence may be the dominant mechanism of noise generation. Under static conditions the total noise signature appears to be the result of interaction of the propeller with persistent turbulent eddies passing through the propeller disk.

Metzger, F. B.↗

Short period oscillations in total electron content

The paper describes measurements of fluctuations in the total electron content along the propagation path of the radio beam between the ATS-6 geostationary satellite and the ground station. Short-period oscillations of the total electron content of about plus or minus 8 time 10 to the 13th electrons per sq m with a period of about 30 to 50 seconds were detected. These oscillations appear to be well correlated with the appearance of Type PC 4 micropulsations.

Davies, K.↗

The Spaceflight and Tracking Data Network data handling system in the 1980's

The NASA Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network (STDN) in the 1980's will employ the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). The TDRSS includes a pair of geosynchronously orbiting communications satellites which will relay data from most NASA earth-orbiting spacecraft directly to a TDRSS ground station in the U.S. A description is given of the expected evolution of the STDN, the supporting NASCOM, and the integrated communications and data handling configurations that will be needed for NASA space missions in the 1980's.

Dickinson, W. B.↗

Improvements in navigation resulting from the use of dual spacecraft radiometric data

If two spacecraft lying along similar geocentric lines-of-sight are simultaneously tracked by two nearby ground stations (dual spacecraft two-station tracking), navigational capabilities may be substantially improved. A thorough accuracy analysis study of dual spacecraft tracking using simulated tracking data based on the trajectories of Viking and Mariner Jupiter-Saturn '77(MJS '77) missions has been carried out. Results of the study reveal the following advantages: (1) cancellation of platform parameter and transmission media modelling errors in short arc solutions, (2) accurate encounter guidance for the trailing spacecraft, (3) reduction of total tracking time requirements, and (4) rapid determination of the orbit following a maneuver on either spacecraft. It is shown that dual spacecraft data types can improve navigational capabilities by a factor of 5 to 10, under the conditions of small angular separation (not exceeding 3 degrees) of the two spacecraft and well determined trajectory of the reference spacecraft. The research to carry out and the data to obtain before the new technique can be used in interplanetary navigation are pointed out.

Chao, C. C.↗

Free acquisition and dissemination of data through remote sensing

Free acquisition and dissemination of data through remote sensing is discussed with reference to the Landsat program. The role of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the U.N. General Assembly's Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space has made recommendations on the expansion of existing ground stations and on the establishment of an experimental center for training in remote sensing. The working group for the legal subcommittee of the same U.N. committee indicates that there are common elements in the three drafts on remote sensing submitted to it: a call for international cooperation and the belief that remote sensing should be conducted for the benefit of all mankind.

Hosenball, S. N.↗

Network functions and facilities

The objectives, functions, and organization of the Deep Space Network are summarized. Deep space station, ground communication, and network operations control capabilities are described.

Renzetti, N. A.↗

Network functions and facilities

The objectives, functions, and organization of the Deep Space Network are summarized. Deep space station, ground communication, and network operations control capabilities are described.

Renzetti, N. A.↗

The 727 approach energy management system avionics specification (preliminary)

Hardware and software requirements for an Approach Energy Management System (AEMS) consisting of an airborne digital computer and cockpit displays are presented. The displays provide the pilot with a visual indication of when to manually operate the gear, flaps, and throttles during a delayed flap approach so as to reduce approach time, fuel consumption, and community noise. The AEMS is an independent system that does not interact with other navigation or control systems, and is compatible with manually flown or autopilot coupled approaches. Operational use of the AEMS requires a DME ground station colocated with the flight path reference.

Jackson, D. O.↗

Network functions and facilities

The objectives, functions, and organization of the Deep Space Network are summarized; deep space station, ground communication, and network operations control capabilities are described.

Renzetti, N. A.↗