Citation
Abstract
The first quarter century of U.S. solar system exploration using unmanned spacecraft has involved progressively higher operating frequencies for deep space telemetry: L-band (960 MHz) in 1962 to S-band (2.3 GHz) in 1964 to X-band (8.4 GHz) in 1977, The next logical frequency band to develop for deep space is Ka-band (32 GHz) for which a primary deep space allocation of 500 MHz between 31.8 GHz and 32.3 GHz was established in 1979. The telecommunications capability was improved by a factor of 77 (18.9 dB) through the frequency changes from L-band to X-band, Another improvement factor of 14.5 (11.6 dB) can be achieved by going to Ka-band. Plans to develop and demonstrate Ka-band capability include the continued measurement of weather effects at DSN sites, development of a prototype DSN ground antenna and supporting subsystems, augmentation of planned spacecraft with Ka-band beacons, and development of spacecraft prototype modules for future Ka-band transmitters, Plans for augmenting the DSN with Ka-band capability by 1995 have also been developed. A companion set of articles in this issue describes the Ka-band performance and technology in greater detail.
Details
- Volume
- 42-88
- Published
- February 15, 1987
- Pages
- 96–103
- File Size
- 615.6 KB