ANNA 1B SATELLITE DATA FOR DAYS 115 THROUGH 122,

Abstract

ANNA 1B satellite passes were tracked in Exploratory Tracking Station 091 at APL/JHU when the satellite was in 100 percent sunlight orbit during Days 115 through 122 (April 25 through May 2) to provide satellite data for analysis. Ionospheric correction doppler data was recovered on the 162 Mcs/324 Mcs frequency pair, for satellite orbit determination. Satellite time bursts on 162 Mcs were recorded to measure station time recovery errors. Good satellite time recovery was accomplished at approximately 89 second intervals throughout the satellite passes at signal levels of -115 dbm to -142 dbm referenced to the antenna output. Good doppler data was received and sent to the computer on all passes except for Day 116 when the station tuning adjustments were incorrect. The average satellite signal level at the closest approach of the satellite varied from -111 dbm to -119 dbm on 162 Mcs and from -114 dbm to -121 dbm on 324 Mcs referenced to the antenna output. Left-hand circularly polarized helical antennas were used with approximately 11 db gain over an isotropic antenna on 162 Mcs and 14 db gain over isotropic on 324 Mcs. This analysis shows that more accurate satellite time recovery can be obtained by improved tracking station operating and alignment procedures. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 06, 1963
Accession Number
AD0650979

Entities

People

  • R. J. Finneran

Organizations

  • Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Antennas
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Computers
  • Frequency
  • Helical Antennas
  • Intervals
  • Orbits
  • Recovery
  • Satellite Orbits
  • Stations
  • Sunlight
  • Tracking Stations

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Microwave Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites