Citation
Abstract
In this article a feasibility study is undertaken and a detailed analysis is made of a wide-band very long baseline interferometer (VLBI) for the purpose of ranging and tracking a spacecraft. The system works on two frequencies (S- and X-band). By a new correlation technique, it is shown that it is possible to extract information on the total electron content with a rather high degree of accuracy, an accuracy certainly impossible to achieve with tracking modes currently in use. The total electron content and its time variation are valuable quantities on their own; they give important information on the solar wind. It is also shown that at the same time, potentially, the determination of the declination and right ascension of a spacecraft can be made much more accurately than by existing procedures.
Details
- Volume
- VI
- Published
- December 15, 1971
- Pages
- 46–56
- File Size
- 1.2 MB