Citation
Abstract
The Helios-A spacecraft is now less than 6 months from launch. DSN activity is shifting from implementation to operational preparations. There have been, howeter, three significant recent developments which bear discussion: (1) the final selection of the targeted perihelion distance for the Helios-A mission has been established as 0.31 AU; (2) the Helios-A launch trajectory has been changed from a direct-ascent mode to a parking-orbit mode; and (3) the prototype model spacecraft has successfully passed compatibility testing with the DSN. The significance to the Tracking and Data System of each of these developments is discussed.
Details
- Volume
- 42-22
- Published
- August 15, 1974
- Pages
- 16–21
- File Size
- 605.8 KB