Citation

Abstract

Blind pointing of the Deep Space Network (DSN) 70-meter antennas can be improved if distortions of the antenna structure caused by unpredictable environmental loads can be measured in real-time, and the resulting boresight shifts evaluated and incorporated into the pointing control loops. The measurement configuration of a proposed pointing compensation system includes an optical range sensor that measures distances to selected points on the antenna surface. This article examines the effect of atmospheric turbulence on the accuracy of optical distance measuremens and describes a method to make in-situ determinations of turbulence-induced measurement errors.

Details

Volume
42-97
Published
May 15, 1989
Pages
141–148
File Size
378.1 KB