Citation
Abstract
The quality of DSN radio metric doppler, for spacecraft beyond a distance of 1 AU from Earth, is a strong function of the Sun-Earth-probe angle. The rms noise levels of both S- and X-band doppler for Sun-Earth-probe angle < 20 deg are observed to be orders of magnitude greater than nominal. Mariner 6, 7, 9, and 10 and Pioneer 10 and 11 doppler data are discussed and the rms noise level for various Sun—Earth-probe angles are shown. Such solar plasma-related doppler degradation reduced the Mariner 10-Mercury II encounter navigation accuracy by nearly a factor of 10. Furthermore, this degradation is shown to be indirectly related to plasma dynamics and not a direct measure of the dynamics.
Details
- Volume
- 42-30
- Published
- December 15, 1975
- Pages
- 88–101
- File Size
- 1.0 MB