DEVELOPMENT OF A RANGE AND RANGE RATE SPACECRAFT TRACKING SYSTEM

摘要

A spacecraft tracking system is described which will measure range and range rate for distances varying from 150 to 400,000 km with a resolution of ±15 m in range and ±0.1 m/sec in range rate. This system will provide an order of magnitude increase in tracking accuracy and will use less power at lunar distances than present tracking methods. In addition this system is simple, transportable, and economically feasible.nA preliminary portion of the system, with capability for measuring range only, has been constructed and tested by tracking an aircraft flying over the Blossom Point, Maryland, Mini-track facility;and an analysis of the results shows that the quoted accuracies and performance are feasible. Finally, several system configurations are given as they would apply to specific satellite programs.