Citation
Abstract
Site Test Interferometers (STIs) have been operating at the three Deep Space Network (DSN) tracking sites and Kennedy Space Center (KSC) to gather statistical data on spatial phase fluctuations induced by the atmosphere. Such data are useful for characterizing the suitability of each site to host potential antenna uplink arrays at highfrequency bands (e.g., Ka-band) for telecommunications and navigation applications. As part of the effort, the phase-delay statistics are characterized on a monthly and annual basis. The data acquired include 13 full years for Goldstone Apollo (2011–2023), 12 years for Canberra (2012–2023) (with some partial months in 2011), 9 full years and 3 months for Madrid (2014–2023), and 8 years and 8 months for KSC (2014–2022). Thus, phasedelay statistics were derived from STI data spanning 2011 to 2023. This study is a continuation of the previous study that analyzed single-baseline STI phase-delay statistics acquired up to 2018. In addition to analyzing phase-delay statistics up to 2023, this current study also intercompares phase-delay statistics for all applicable periods where three simultaneous baselines were operating at the sites, and then compares the results with a theoretical model. A short period of temporal phase delay over all three baselines was examined against local wind speed and direction data providing two-dimensional correlation results.
Details
- Volume
- 42-239
- Published
- November 15, 2024
- Pages
- 1–19
- File Size
- 5.7 MB