The Evaluation and Selection of a Fifth Ground Antenna Site for the Global Positioning System.
Abstract
The NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space based radio navigation system being developed to provide accurate position, velocity and time any place on or near the earth, 24 hours of every day, and under all weather conditions. The GPS performance characteristics provide significant benefits in the areas of spacecraft navigation, satellite delivery, equipment positioning, resource mapping, payload deployment and retrieval, propellant economies, data processing, and mission planning (13:204). GPS is a passive radio system and is comprised of space, control, and user segments. The space segment consists of 18 navigational satellites in six orbital planes, plus three operational spares. The three in-orbit spares will be positioned in such a way as to provide optimum coverage of the continental United States. A satellite failure in one of the three planes containing a spare will result in the spare being moved to a position close to the failed satellite. A failure in one of the other planes will cause satellites in adjacent orbital planes to be moved within their planes to provide the best possible coverage until a new satellite can be launched(6:1).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 07, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA189495
Entities
People
- Tery L. Donelson
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology