NDLI: Precision Spacecraft Tracking Using In-Beam Phase Referencing

Content Provider	IEEE Xplore Digital Library
Author	Majid, W.A. Bagri, D.S.
Copyright Year	2008
Description	Author affiliation: Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Technol., Pasadena, CA (Majid, W.A.; Bagri, D.S.)
Abstract	The deep space network (DSN) Array of the future provides an intriguing possibility of using the techniques of in-beam phase referencing to determine the angular position of spacecraft with accuracy at the level of 0.1 nano-radian (nrad). In this paper, we discuss the prospects for carrying out such measurements at both 8.4 GHz (X-band) and 32 GHz (Ka-band). Our study suggests that at X-band in-beam calibration may be available as an astrometric tool over 20-30 percent of the sky. The prospects at Ka-band, on the other hand, are not very hopeful. We point out that these estimates depend strongly on the number density of compact sources at the 1-mJy level. We also present the results from our recent VLBA (very long baseline array) observations at X-band, which has determined the compact source density at the 10-mJy level and discuss future observations to probe weaker source population. Finally, we discuss issues related to phase cycle ambiguity resolution and potential techniques to resolve them.
Starting Page	1
Ending Page	7
File Size	996247
Page Count	7
File Format	PDF
ISBN	9781424414871
ISSN	1095323X
DOI	10.1109/AERO.2008.4526349
Language	English
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
Publisher Date	2008-03-01
Publisher Place	USA
Access Restriction	Subscribed
Rights Holder	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
Subject Keyword	Space vehicles Frequency estimation Calibration Space technology Phased arrays Propulsion Laboratories Extraterrestrial measurements Probes Biographies
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Aerospace Engineering Space and Planetary Science

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