Citation
Abstract
The activities at the Venus Station (DSS 13) and the Microwave Test Facility, both operated by the Development Support Group, during the 6-month period ending October 15, 1975, are discussed and progress is noted. Successful remote operation of the Venus Station from Pasadena during a pulsar observing track is described, along with significant tracking of the planet Venus in an interferometric planetary radar mode. Completion of the first phase of the demonstration of long-distance (1.6-km) transmission of microwave power is reported, with an RF-to-dc conversion efficiency of better than 80% and 30 kW of dc recovered. Extensive support to the X-band radar and the Block IV receiver-exciter at the Mars Station (DSS 14) is reported, along with support to noise-adding radiometer (NAR) reliability experiments, antenna gain standardization, planetary radio astronomy, platform parameters very long baseline interferometry (VLBI), interstellar microwave spectroscopy, Venus/Ovro VLBI, and differential phase VLBI. Routine transmission of clock synchronization signals to the overseas complexes with 64-m antenna stations is also discussed, and extensive analysis of a reported problem with the DSS 14 HV dc power supply which resulted in excessive ripple voltage interfering with transmitter operation is described.
Details
- Volume
- 42-30
- Published
- December 15, 1975
- Pages
- 214–221
- File Size
- 2.6 MB