Citation
Abstract
As a result of the failure of the Voyager 2 primary S-band receiver and the failed component in the remaining receiver, JPL is evaluating the feasibility and cost of an alternate command uplink in the low VHF band around 40 MHz, by utilizing the planetary radio astronomy experiment receiver aboard the spacecraft. The design considerations, tentative specifications and one preliminary mechanization for the requisite ground transmitting facility are presented. The magnitude of the transmitting requirement is on the order of 120 dBm EIRP, achievable with a 183-m diameter phase steered beam array with 250-kW output power. Preliminary results of tests conducted to date employing the Stanford 46-m diameter steerable parabolic antenna and 300-kW CW VHF transmitter at 46.72 MHz are reviewed.
Details
- Volume
- 42-50
- Published
- April 15, 1979
- Pages
- 189–195
- File Size
- 671.8 KB