CROSS-SECTION MEASUREMENTS OF THE ECHO II SATELLITE BY THE MILLSTONE L-BAND RADAR
Abstract
The report is a summary of the Millstone Radar tracking activities during the early revolutions of Echo II. Eight revolutions were tracked and cross-section measurements taken during the satellite's first four days in orbit followed by four additional tracks during the next three weeks. All cross- section measurements beginning with Rev. 4, the first observable at Millstone, display a fading pattern indicating that the balloon had not attained full sphericity, or at least contained significant surface irregularities. No essential change in the fading pattern was noted throughout the period that measurements were taken, except for perhaps more frequent fading during the later passes. Starting with Rev. 5, the first complete horizon-to-horizon measurement made, a periodicity of approximately 104 seconds was observed. This periodicity was also apparent during the later passes. The estimated average radar cross section during these observations was about one-half the theoretical 1330 square meters. A pulse-to-pulse cross section vs time record is included for Rev. 5 and Rev. 321.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 07, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0602751
Entities
People
- D. P. Hynek
- R. F. Julian
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology