Citation
Abstract
This article relates to the accuracy of the three charged particle calibration methods — differenced range versus integrated doppler (DRVID), Faraday rotation, and dual frequency — as they apply to the various tracking modes, e.g., onestation tracking, two-station tracking, spacecraft very long baseline interferometry (VLBI). It is found that many calibration schemes are deficient at small SunEarth-probe angles (SEPs). Observations of the Sun during its active period between 1967 and 1969 have been used to obtain quantitative information on range degradation at small Sun-Earth-probe angles. Likewise, range errors at SEPs during a quiet Sun period (in this case the 1964-1965 solar minimum) have also been computed with the result that, even at times of a comparatively inactive Sun, range errors engendered by plasma clouds are still troublesome inasmuch as they prevent range measurement with an accuracy of less than I meter.
Details
- Volume
- XI
- Published
- October 15, 1972
- Pages
- 42–52
- File Size
- 935.2 KB