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