Citation

Abstract

Tracking operations during the Mariner 10 Mercury encounter were quite smooth and highly successful. Contributing factors included a lack of any substantial Mercurian atmosphere and, hence, signal refraction, relatively small gravitational perturbation of the spacecraft by Mercury, and a great deal more experience with the Block IV S- and X-band receivers and the digitally controlled oscillators. This report describes the pre-encounter planning and subsequent analysis of tracking operations during the Mariner 10 Mercury encounter phase.

Details

Volume
42-22
Published
August 15, 1974
Pages
202–211
File Size
630.7 KB