96 October: Doppler Data Exchange
Measurement of the range rate to the Surfsat transponder. A number of software
problems were solved and orbit predictions for Surfsat based only on Green
Bank data were created at JPL.
97 September 12: Surfsat C Band VLBI
The Surfsat VLBI experiment was repeated successfully (see below), but
at a higher frequency. At higher frequencies the stability of the space
to ground link is more throughly tested.
96 May: Surfsat S Band VLBI
In collaboration with the NRAO VLBA and Engineers at JPL, the first Surfsat
VLBI experiment was performed in 96 May. In this test, the NRAO GB 140'
Telescope was used in its normal VLBI mode, but with the maser timing reference
signal being transmitted the Surfsat Transponder. The timing tone was successful
ly
recieved at the Tracking station, modulated onto optical fiber and provide
to the 140' telescope as the timing reference. Simulatenously, the time
corrections data were collected at the tracking station and provided to
the VLBA correlator. The VLBA correlator used the timing data to allow
successful correlation of the observations with VLBA antennas.
96 March: VSOP Compatability Tests
The Japanese Satellite Sampler,Formatter and Communications model was brought
to Green Bank for Compatability Tests. After minor adjustments, the data
communications between the tracking station and satellite simulator were
found to be compatable.
95 November 5: Tracking Surfsat
The NASA/JPL orbiting test transponder, Surfsat, was first tracked by the
Green Bank Earth Station. A two-way link to Surfsat was first established
on 95 Dec 15.
95: Tracking Geotail
The Japanese space agency satellite GEOTAIL has been tracked by the Green
Bank Tracking Station. This test validated the orbital predition interface
to NASA/JPL/DSN.
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory
(NRAO)
is a facillity of the National Science Foundation
operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
tminter@nrao.edu
Last update: 99 Dec 19