A SATELLITE-BORNE XENON FLASH OPTICAL BEACON for Use on the Proposed Missile Range Calibration Satellite PartⅢ (of 3 parts): PROGRAM PLAN

摘要

Edgerton, Germeshausen & Grier, Inc., has evolved a preliminary electronic and mechanical design plus a set of definitive preliminary specifications for a xenon flash system which can be carried aboard and meet all the needs of the proposed Range Calibration Satellite. A parallel effort reveals the savings in required energy that could result if a "tailored" beam were used giving equal illumination to all observing stations on the ground. During the final design stage in the future, advantage can eventually be taken of this proposed "tailoring" of the beacon system. The resulting optical beacon will thus both fulfill the demanding light output requirements of the stellar cameras to be used for range calibrations and at the same time come within the severe constraints imposed by the satellite itself as to limited available electrical energy, low permissible weight, high required reliability and rigorous launch and in-orbit environments.