Satellite-to-Satellite Data Transfer and Control.
Abstract
The LES-8 and -9 satellites are three-axis stabilized earth-orbit spacecraft which provide communications at UHF and K-band frequencies with the capability of simultaneously establishing and automatically maintaining a K-band (36-38 GHz) satellite-to-satellite data link. The inter-satellite data crosslink extends the earth coverage over that which a single satellite can provide and demonstrates how a global communications system might be realized without the restrictions imposed by ground relay. This report describes the operation and characteristics of the lobing antenna and pointing control, the solid state transmitters and receivers, the autotrack receiver and elastic shift register. Ground based and post-launch test results of pointing and communication systems are presented. Also, a user-oriented system is described which, among other features, allows an operator to easily establish a crosslink from the ground terminal using pointing angles calculated by a small computer from spacecraft derived earth pointing parameters. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 19, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA041323
Entities
People
- David B. Coomber
- David M. Snider
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology