An intercomparison of some results from GEOS-1 data based on secor short arc vs optical long arc reference orbits
US Army SECOR and optical tracking networks compared using Explorer 29 /GEOS 1/ long arc orbital solutions
Lerch, F. J.↗
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Tests and comparisons of gravity models using camera observations of GEOS 1 and Geos 2
Modification to geopotential models based on GEOS 1 and 2 optical tracking data
Douglas, B. C.↗
Geodetic satellite results for Deep Space Station coordinates
Optical tracking data from geodetic satellites for deep space station coordinates
Douglas, B. C.↗
Error analysis of optical range measurement systems
Short pulse optical tracking systems ranging error, analyzing effects of tracker, target and propagating medium characteristics
Salwen, H. C.↗
Intercomparisons of orbital solutions based upon optical and Doppler observations of the GEOS I and II satellites
Orbital solutions based on critical optical tracking and Doppler observations, comparing with GEOS 1 and 2 satellite orbits
Agreen, R. W.↗
Tests and comparisons of gravity models.
Optical observations of the GEOS satellites were used to obtain orbital solutions with different sets of geopotential coefficients. The solutions were compared before and after modification to high order terms (necessary because of resonance) and were then analyzed by comparing subsequent observations with predicted trajectories. The most important source of error in orbit determination and prediction for the GEOS satellites is the effect of resonance found in most published sets of geopotential coefficients. Modifications to the sets yield greatly improved orbits in most cases. The results of these comparisons suggest that with the best optical tracking systems and gravity models, satellite position error due to gravity model uncertainty can reach 50-100 m during a heavily observed 5-6 day orbital arc. If resonant coefficients are estimated, the uncertainty is reduced considerably.
Marsh, J. G.↗
Wave transmission characteristics and anisotropy of canine carotid arteries
A method was developed to generate and record three types of small amplitude waves (pressure, torsion and axial) in the exposed carotid artery of anesthetized dogs. The pressure waves were studied with the aid of miniature pressure transducers; electro-optical tracking units monitored the axial and circumferential surface displacements. Results from 6 dogs are presented in the form of the phase velocities and attenuation of three types of waves. The data demonstrate incompatibility with an isotropic elastic model for the mechanical behavior of the artery. The measured damping appears to be primarily due to the viscoelastic properties of the vessel wall material.
Moritz, W. E.↗
Accuracy of estimating the masses of Phobos and Deimos from multiple Viking orbiter encounters
The problem was investigated of estimating the masses of Phobos and Deimos from Doppler and onboard optical measurements during the Viking extended mission. A Kalman filter was used to analyze the effects of gravitational uncertainties and nongravitational accelerations. These accelerations destroy the dynamical integrity of the orbit, and multibatch or limited memory filtering is preferred to single batch processing. Optical tracking is essential to improve the relative orbit geometry. The masses can be determined to about 10% and 25% respectively for Phobos and Deimos, assuming satellite densities of about 3 gr/cu cm.
Tolson, R. H.↗
Accuracy of estimating the masses of Phobos and Deimos from multiple Viking orbiter encounters
This paper addresses the problem of estimating the masses of Phobos and Deimos from Doppler and onboard optical measurements during the Viking extended mission. A Kalman filter is used to analyze the effects of gravitational uncertainties and nongravitational accelerations. These accelerations destroy the dynamical integrity of the orbit and multi-batch or limited memory filtering is preferred to single batch processing. Optical tracking is essential to improve the relative orbit geometry. The masses can be determined to about 10% and 25% respectively for Phobos and Deimos, assuming satellite densities of about 3 g per cu cm.
Tolson, R. H.↗
Charge-coupled device /CCD/ trackers for high accuracy guidance applications
Recent advances in large area charge coupled device (CCD) imaging detectors and high speed microprocessors have prompted the development of a new class of electro-optical tracking instruments at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). These instruments are designed for standardized NASA-wide usage and are characterized by their extremely high pointing accuracy and stability and performance capabilities which are largely software defined and thus easily adapted to a variety of mission requirements. This paper presents an examination of the methods by which CCD detectors are being incorporated in star tracker instruments and the performance capabilities that can be expected from currently available devices. The multi-function sensor concept, in which a single sensor can function in a variety of guidance applications, is described. Software algorithms designed to provide efficient extraction of guidance information from both point and extended images are also presented. CCD star tracker implementations currently underway at JPL are described, and performance data obtained during laboratory testing is presented and discussed.
Salomon, P. M.↗
A critical velocity interaction between fast barium and strontium atoms and the terrestial ionospheric plasma
A disk of barium and strontium vapor traveling radially outward, perpendicular to the geomagnetic field lines, may be created by the detonation of a high-explosive, radially shaped charge with a liner composed of the two metals in the upper atmosphere. Because of solar radiation resonance, both the barium and the strontium may be optically tracked. Observations indicate the early formation of the metal ions thus evolved into a disk-shaped, stellate structure with a dark hole at the center of a radial structure. The results of these experiments indicate that the process could occur on a cosmic scale, and that unconfirmed aspects of the theory relating to this process could be determined through variation of the parameters in future radial rocket experiments.
Deehr, C. S.↗
Space Shuttle Orbiter onboard rendezvous navigation
Much of the work that the Space Shuttle will perform requires a capability to rendezvous with other orbiting objects. The formulation and design philosophy behind the Space Shuttle Orbiter rendezvous navigation system are the subjects of this paper. The current rendezvous navigation design incorporates a Kalman filter to estimate the relative position and velocity. The filter is augmented with state elements for the estimation of colored measurement noise and acceleration modeling errors. Several measurement types are available to the filter: a manual optical sighting device, an automatic optical tracking instrument, and a rendezvous radar which provides range and range rate measurements as well as the line of sight direction. The filter also includes a technique for detecting highly improbable measurements and excluding them from Kalman processing.
Little, M. J.↗
Microprocessor-controlled laser tracker for atmospheric sensing
An optical tracking system comprising a visible HeNe laser, an imaging detector, and a microprocessor-controlled mirror, has been designed to track a moving retroreflector located up to 500 m away from an atmospheric instrument and simultaneously direct spectrally tunable infrared laser radiation to the retroreflector for double-ended, long-path absorption measurements of atmospheric species. The tracker has been tested during the recent flight of a balloon-borne tunable diode laser absorption spectrometer which monitors the concentrations of stratospheric species within a volume defined by a 0.14-m-diameter retroreflector lowered 500 m below the instrument gondola.
Johnson, R. A.↗
Automated trabecular bone histomorphometry
The toxicity of alpha-emitting bone-seeking radionuclides and the relationship between bone tumor incidence and the local dosimetry of radionuclides in bone are investigated. The microdistributions of alpha-emitting radionuclides in the trabecular bone from the proximal humerus, distal humerus, proximal ulna, proximal femur, and distal femur of six young adult beagles injected with Am-241 (three with 2.8 micro-Ci/kg and three with 0.9 micro-Ci/kg) are estimated using a computer-controlled microscope photometer system; the components of the University of Utah Optical Track Scanner are described. The morphometric parameters for the beagles are calculated and analyzed. It is observed that the beagles injected with 0.9 micro-Ci of Am-241/kg showed an increase in the percentage of bone and trabecular bone thickness, and a reduction in the width of the bone marrow space and surface/volume ratio. The data reveal that radiation damage causes abnormal bone structure.
Polig, E.↗
Galilean satellite ephemeris improvement using Galileo tour encounter information
Accurate navigation of the satellite tour portion of the Galileo mission requires an accurate ephemeris of the Galilean satellites. The ephemeris is updated using radiometric and optical tracking data acquired during the satellite tour. The improved accuracy of the satellite ephemeris leads to improved targeting accuracy at subsequent encounters. The Galileo mission will benefit from improved targeting accuracy through reduced propellant costs and improved pointing accuracy. The predicted error in the updated ephemeris can be less than approximations inherent in the analytical theory used for the ephemeris, so an alternate numerical representation is applied. This alternate description shows promise but also raises questions of numerical stability.
Murrow, D. W.↗
The helmet-mounted visual system in flight simulation
An account is given of the application of fiber-optic helmet-mounted display systems to flight simulation tasks for complex combat mission scenarios involving numerous external aircraft, audible communications, and various types of threats. Such helmets, which although custom-made for each pilot are far less expensive than image-projection systems, consist of two 3-in. diameter 'optical pancake windows' mounted in front of the pilot's eyes to which images are transferred through fiber-optic cables from four high-brightness light-valve projectors. Head-position information is provided by an optical tracking system. The pancake window displays are semitransparent and allow cockpit controls and displays to be viewed normally.
Cook, Anthony M.↗
Ground based laser ranging for satellite location
In this article, we describe a new satellite laser ranging capability which is a joint effort between the Naval Research Laboratory and Air Force Optical Tracking Facility at Malabar, Florida. Initial measurements off LAGEOS indicate that uncorrected radial range rms values of 8 mm are readily achievable. The number of photoelectron counts are on the order of 180 which are off by an order of magnitude from predicted values.
Gilbreath, G. C.↗
Dynamic Ground Effect for a Cranked Arrow Wing Airplane
Flight-determined ground effect characteristics for an F-16XL airplane are presented and correlated with wind tunnel predictions and similar flight results from other aircraft. Maneuvers were conducted at a variety of flightpath angles. Conventional ground effect flight test methods were used, with the exception that space positioning data were obtained using the differential global positioning system (DGPS). Accuracy of the DGPS was similar to that of optical tracking methods, but it was operationally more attractive. The dynamic flight determined lift and drag coefficient increments were measurably lower than steady-state wind-tunnel predictions. This relationship is consistent with the results of other aircraft for which similar data are available. Trends in the flight measured lift increments caused by ground effect as a function of flightpath angle were evident but weakly correlated. An engineering model of dynamic ground effect was developed based on linear aerodynamic theory and super-positioning of flows. This model was applied to the F-16XL data set and to previously published data for an F-15 airplane. In both cases, the model provided an engineering estimate of the ratio between the steady-state and dynamic data sets.
Curry, Robert E.↗