Mapping with QUASAT (QUAsar SATellite) Using Short Observation Times.
Abstract
QUASAT (Quasar Satellite) is the name of a proposed satellite which will be an orbiting Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observatory. As currently conceived, QUASAT would be a joint NASA-ESA mission to fly a 15 m diameter radio antenna, with multiple frequency capability up to 22 GHz, in an orbit with a semi-major axis of about 15000 km. The two primary motivations for QUASAT are (1) to increase the maximum angular resolution from the present VLBI network by a factor of 3, and (2) to increase the dynamic range present in VLBI maps by a factor of perhaps 10. For full details on both the scientific justification for QUASAT and the presently conceived QUASAT mission, the reader is referred to the 1984 European Space Agency's publication of the proceedings of the meeting Workshop on QUASAT, a VLBI Observatory in Space held in Austria, 18-22 June 1984. This report presents results of studies done to assess the imaging ability of QUASAT, with particular emphasis on QUASAT's capabilities with short observation times.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 22, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA155155
Entities
People
- J. H. Spencer
- K. J. Johnston
- R. S. Simon
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory