Citation
Abstract
Ranging measurements in the Deep Space Network (DSN) have been contributing to spacecraft navigation and radio science investigations for more than a half century. Performance over the past three decades has remained at the 1-m level conditionally due to solar plasma noises and has also been limited by systematic instrumental effects. Since the goal of 10-cm ranging has long been sought, JPL has invested in the design and development of an Advanced Ranging Instrument (ARI) that will improve the accuracy of ranging measurements by one order of magnitude. The current ranging uses a single-frequency uplink, 7.1 GHz (X-band). By using dual-frequency uplinks, X and 34 GHz (Ka-band), and generating three downlinks (X-up/X-down, X-up/ Ka-down, Ka-up/Ka-down), the noise of solar plasma can be removed completely. Also, station delay is measured continuously to obtain a precise calibration. Implementing wideband pseudo-random noise (PN) code ranging further reduces system noises. The ARI has made these techniques available at DSS-25. This new ranging will enhance planetary sciences and fundamental physics as well as orbit determination and navigation.
Details
- Volume
- 42-215
- Published
- November 15, 2018
- Pages
- 1–13
- File Size
- 5.6 MB