Location
Cocoa Beach, FL
Start Date
7-3-1966 8:00 AM
Description
This paper describes a synchronous-orbit tracking and communication satellite system. The spacecraft is essentially a communication satellite that uses a large electronically steered antenna in conjunction with tracking interferometers and low-powered solid state transmitterreceiver components. The system will track and communicate with target vehicles that are equipped with a dipole type antenna, UHF receiver and a 10-w transmitter.
The satellite uses the spherical reflector and the associated packaging and deployment techniques that were analyzed and ground tested in connection with passive communication satellite programs. 1> 2, 3 A spherical reflecting structure similar to Figure 1, View A, will serve as the VHF/UHF communication link antenna reflector and as a support for the UHF tracking interferometer antennas. Electronic steering is accomplished by a multiple-feed system similar to Figure 1, View B, that is located in the focal area of the spherical antenna reflector. Target location, trajectory and orbit parameter data processing, system control, and housekeeping functions will essentially be accomplished at a master ground terminal from the data exchanged with the satellite over a lowpowered wideband duplex data link operating at X band.
Tracking satellite attitude and yaw angle are also determined at the master ground terminal from signals radiated from the UHF satellite interferometer antennas and polarization vector of the X-band antenna signal respectivity.
Finally, this paper presents data concerning the electronic system, satellite configuration, payload weight and volume, tracking accuracy, system coverage, antenna beam steering, system trades, data links, ground terminal, and other satellite applications.
Advanced Tracking and Communication Satellites
Cocoa Beach, FL
This paper describes a synchronous-orbit tracking and communication satellite system. The spacecraft is essentially a communication satellite that uses a large electronically steered antenna in conjunction with tracking interferometers and low-powered solid state transmitterreceiver components. The system will track and communicate with target vehicles that are equipped with a dipole type antenna, UHF receiver and a 10-w transmitter.
The satellite uses the spherical reflector and the associated packaging and deployment techniques that were analyzed and ground tested in connection with passive communication satellite programs. 1> 2, 3 A spherical reflecting structure similar to Figure 1, View A, will serve as the VHF/UHF communication link antenna reflector and as a support for the UHF tracking interferometer antennas. Electronic steering is accomplished by a multiple-feed system similar to Figure 1, View B, that is located in the focal area of the spherical antenna reflector. Target location, trajectory and orbit parameter data processing, system control, and housekeeping functions will essentially be accomplished at a master ground terminal from the data exchanged with the satellite over a lowpowered wideband duplex data link operating at X band.
Tracking satellite attitude and yaw angle are also determined at the master ground terminal from signals radiated from the UHF satellite interferometer antennas and polarization vector of the X-band antenna signal respectivity.
Finally, this paper presents data concerning the electronic system, satellite configuration, payload weight and volume, tracking accuracy, system coverage, antenna beam steering, system trades, data links, ground terminal, and other satellite applications.
