Preface

This quarterly publication provides archival reports on research and developments in programs managed by JPL's Telecommunications and Mission Operations Directorate (TMOD). Included are articles on activities that advance the capability and cost effectiveness of the Deep Space Mission System, comprising the Deep Space Network and the Advanced Multi-Mission Operations System as well as communications- and operations-related elements of future spacecraft. Critical core competencies in this area include RF and optical communications, tracking and navigation, mission planning, and design. Also included are articles on current JPL space missions that are supported by TMOD, such as Galileo and Cassini, particularly with regard to unique telecommunications or mission operations aspects of these missions.

In addition, results of science investigations utilizing the unique capabilities of the Deep Space Network are reported here. These include planetary radar observations of planets, their satellites, and asteroids of our solar system using the Goldstone Solar System Radar; radio astronomy observations using the sensitive antennas of the DSN, including single-aperture spectroscopy as well as very long baseline interferometry; and a variety of radio science observations that employ the spacecraft radio signal itself as a science probe.

Finally, tasks funded under the JPL Director's Discretionary Fund and the Caltech President's Fund that involve TMOD are included.

This and each succeeding issue of The Telecommunications and Mission Operations Progress Report will present material in some, but not necessarily all, of the aforementioned programs.