THE DOPLOC DARK SATELLITE TRACKING SYSTEM
Abstract
The DOPLOC dark satellite tracking system is described and tracking results are presented. DOPLOC is a radio reflection Doppler tracking system deriving its name from the Doppler frequency phase-locked tracking filter technique used. Dark, i.e. non-radiating, satellites are illuminated by a ground-based transmitter and signals reflected from illuminated satellites are received at one or more ground-based re ceiving sites. A method has been developed for the determination of a complete set of orbital parameters from Doppler data recorded in the course of a single pass of a satellite. Numerous orbital solutions have been obtained with Doppler data from a single receiver recorded during a single pass of a satellite. Computing tmes of 2 to 4 minutes are required with the BRLESC computer. The DOPLOC tracking method has general application to the tracking of projectiles, rockets, guided missiles and space vehicles.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0403879
Entities
People
- A. L. G . Debay
- V. W. Richard
Organizations
- Ballistic Research Laboratory