Carnarvon Location Project - Revision history

Paul at 07:25, 2 September 2011

Paul — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 07:25:01 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 07:25, 2 September 2011
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	Leading up to the Apollo missions, a '''Tracking Camera''' was located at '''SPAN''' and a '''Mobile Laser''' at '''GRARR'''. Each assisted with the development of a more precise location of Carnarvon and, in turn, more accurate tracking data for Apollo journeys to the Moon.		Leading up to the Apollo missions, a '''Tracking Camera''' was located at '''SPAN''' and a '''Mobile Laser''' at '''GRARR'''. Each assisted with the development of a more precise location of Carnarvon and, in turn, more accurate tracking data for Apollo journeys to the Moon.

-	<BR>	+	<BR><BR><BR>
	== PAGEOS-1 ==		== PAGEOS-1 ==

Paul at 02:27, 13 January 2010

Paul — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 02:27:44 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 02:27, 13 January 2010
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	Leading up to the Apollo missions, a '''Tracking Camera''' was located at '''SPAN''' and a '''Mobile Laser''' at '''GRARR'''. Each assisted with the development of a more precise location of Carnarvon and, in turn, more accurate tracking data for Apollo journeys to the Moon.		Leading up to the Apollo missions, a '''Tracking Camera''' was located at '''SPAN''' and a '''Mobile Laser''' at '''GRARR'''. Each assisted with the development of a more precise location of Carnarvon and, in turn, more accurate tracking data for Apollo journeys to the Moon.

		+	<BR>
	== PAGEOS-1 ==		== PAGEOS-1 ==

Paul: /* GEOS-B */

Paul — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 06:03:08 GMT

GEOS-B

←Older revision		Revision as of 06:03, 27 January 2007
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	GEOS-B was launched on 11 January ’68 into a high retrograde orbit to maximize the occurrence of shared-visibility periods for several stations at a time. Its aim was to fix the precise location of participating observation stations to within 10m.		GEOS-B was launched on 11 January ’68 into a high retrograde orbit to maximize the occurrence of shared-visibility periods for several stations at a time. Its aim was to fix the precise location of participating observation stations to within 10m.

-	But it also provided Carnarvon with many local opportunities to compare the tracking results of its several tracking systems through the simultaneous access to a wide variety of GEOS-B facilities: an optical beacon controlled by an accurate onboard clock; R&RR transponders; a C-band radar transponder (used by FPQ-6 radar); a passive radar reflector; and Laser corner reflectors. Regular Carnarvon access was facilitated by STADAN network GEOS-B command control through the local R&RR station.	+	But it also provided Carnarvon with many local opportunities to compare the tracking results of its several tracking systems through the simultaneous access to a wide variety of GEOS-B facilities: an optical beacon controlled by an accurate onboard clock; GRARR transponders; a C-band radar transponder (used by FPQ-6 radar); a passive radar reflector; and Laser corner reflectors. Regular Carnarvon access was facilitated by STADAN network GEOS-B command control through the local GRARR station.

-	GEOS-B also carried a satellite tracking system which was a precursor to the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS)which would lead to the closure of all earth tracking stations except the Deep Space Network (DSN)	+	GEOS-B also carried a satellite tracking system which was a precursor to the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSs)which would lead to the closure of all earth tracking stations except the Deep Space Network (DSN)

	[[#top]]		[[#top]]

Paul: /* GEOS-B */

Paul — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 05:59:52 GMT

GEOS-B

←Older revision		Revision as of 05:59, 27 January 2007
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	But it also provided Carnarvon with many local opportunities to compare the tracking results of its several tracking systems through the simultaneous access to a wide variety of GEOS-B facilities: an optical beacon controlled by an accurate onboard clock; R&RR transponders; a C-band radar transponder (used by FPQ-6 radar); a passive radar reflector; and Laser corner reflectors. Regular Carnarvon access was facilitated by STADAN network GEOS-B command control through the local R&RR station.		But it also provided Carnarvon with many local opportunities to compare the tracking results of its several tracking systems through the simultaneous access to a wide variety of GEOS-B facilities: an optical beacon controlled by an accurate onboard clock; R&RR transponders; a C-band radar transponder (used by FPQ-6 radar); a passive radar reflector; and Laser corner reflectors. Regular Carnarvon access was facilitated by STADAN network GEOS-B command control through the local R&RR station.
		+
		+	GEOS-B also carried a satellite tracking system which was a precursor to the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS)which would lead to the closure of all earth tracking stations except the Deep Space Network (DSN)

	[[#top]]		[[#top]]

Paul: /* Project results */

Paul — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 09:04:41 GMT

Project results

←Older revision		Revision as of 09:04, 17 January 2007
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	Simultaneous three-way Geos-B ranging experiments using the laser, the optical camera, and R&RR produced a more exact R&RR location: -24° 54′ 11.4″, 113° 42′ 58.9″. [2]		Simultaneous three-way Geos-B ranging experiments using the laser, the optical camera, and R&RR produced a more exact R&RR location: -24° 54′ 11.4″, 113° 42′ 58.9″. [2]

-	The FPQ-6 radar also participated in a world-wide refinement of the C-band radar network using Geos-B. Calculations from both sets of results improved the accuracy of the USB antenna location.	+	The FPQ-6 radar also participated in a world-wide refinement of the C-band radar network using Geos-B. Calculations from both sets of results improved the accuracy of the USB antenna location.

	==References==		==References==

Paul at 23:42, 24 December 2006

Paul — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 23:42:09 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 23:42, 24 December 2006
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	The evolution of satellites and the various NASA tracking networks provided the opportunity to refine the geodesy of the Earth and, in turn, improve the accuracy of navigation at lunar range. '''PA'''ssive '''GEO'''detic '''S'''atellite , '''PAGEOS-1''', and '''G'''eodetic '''E'''arth '''O'''rbiting '''S'''atellite, '''GEOS-B''' or GEOS-2, were designed to meet such geodetic objectives.		The evolution of satellites and the various NASA tracking networks provided the opportunity to refine the geodesy of the Earth and, in turn, improve the accuracy of navigation at lunar range. '''PA'''ssive '''GEO'''detic '''S'''atellite , '''PAGEOS-1''', and '''G'''eodetic '''E'''arth '''O'''rbiting '''S'''atellite, '''GEOS-B''' or GEOS-2, were designed to meet such geodetic objectives.

-	Leading up to the Apollo missions, a '''Tracking Camera''' was located at '''SPAN''' and a '''Mobile Laser''' at '''RARR'''. Each assisted with the development of a more precise location of Carnarvon and, in turn, more accurate tracking data for Apollo journeys to the Moon.	+	Leading up to the Apollo missions, a '''Tracking Camera''' was located at '''SPAN''' and a '''Mobile Laser''' at '''GRARR'''. Each assisted with the development of a more precise location of Carnarvon and, in turn, more accurate tracking data for Apollo journeys to the Moon.

	== PAGEOS-1 ==		== PAGEOS-1 ==
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	A Satellite Tracking Camera arrived at the SPAN site early in 1968 . It had two different shutter systems: an iris shutter used for PAGEOS and a focal-plane shutter for GEOS. Jim Gregg recalls that the focal-plane shutter was shattered upon arrival; he replaced it with a thin sheet of balsa wood painted matt black.		A Satellite Tracking Camera arrived at the SPAN site early in 1968 . It had two different shutter systems: an iris shutter used for PAGEOS and a focal-plane shutter for GEOS. Jim Gregg recalls that the focal-plane shutter was shattered upon arrival; he replaced it with a thin sheet of balsa wood painted matt black.

-	Tracks were recorded on 190 x 215mm glass photographic plates. For PAGEOS the iris shutter was open and shut synchronously with the USB time standard producing a dotted balloon-track against the star-track background. For GEOS, the focal-plane shutter was opened for 30 seconds while RARR commanded the satellite to transmit a series of 5 or 7 precisely-timed flashes which appeared as dots against the star-track background. The photographic plates were returned to NASA for analysis.	+	Tracks were recorded on 190 x 215mm glass photographic plates. For PAGEOS the iris shutter was open and shut synchronously with the USB time standard producing a dotted balloon-track against the star-track background. For GEOS, the focal-plane shutter was opened for 30 seconds while GRARR commanded the satellite to transmit a series of 5 or 7 precisely-timed flashes which appeared as dots against the star-track background. The photographic plates were returned to NASA for analysis.

	[[#top]]		[[#top]]
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	== Mobile Laser ==		== Mobile Laser ==

-	A Ruby Laser Tracking System, affectionately known as ‘Ruby Baby’, arrived at RARR early in 1969 to contribute to the location project. Aided by pointing data provided by the FPQ-6 computer, the Laser was tested in February ‘69 by reflecting pulses of light from a small array of corner reflectors carried on Geos-B. To trigger the laser required the discharge of a van full of large fully-charged capacitors; Jim Gregg remembers this producing a “thump like an artillery gun” accompanied by the popping of exploding capacitors which then had to be replaced for the next shot.	+	A Ruby Laser Tracking System, affectionately known as ‘Ruby Baby’, arrived at GRARR early in 1969 to contribute to the location project. Aided by pointing data provided by the FPQ-6 computer, the Laser was tested in February ‘69 by reflecting pulses of light from a small array of corner reflectors carried on Geos-B. To trigger the laser required the discharge of a van full of large fully-charged capacitors; Jim Gregg remembers this producing a “thump like an artillery gun” accompanied by the popping of exploding capacitors which then had to be replaced for the next shot.

	Navigating accurately to the Moon also required a better scientific understand the Earth-Moon relationship. A Laser such as ‘Ruby Baby’ could measure the distance to the Moon to an accuracy of 3 cm, so on each Apollo lunar landing a laser ranging retro-reflector (LRRR - a square array of 100 corner cubes) pointing back at Earth, was set up by the astronauts near their Lunar Module to reflect light back to the point of origin where ever that was.		Navigating accurately to the Moon also required a better scientific understand the Earth-Moon relationship. A Laser such as ‘Ruby Baby’ could measure the distance to the Moon to an accuracy of 3 cm, so on each Apollo lunar landing a laser ranging retro-reflector (LRRR - a square array of 100 corner cubes) pointing back at Earth, was set up by the astronauts near their Lunar Module to reflect light back to the point of origin where ever that was.

Admin at 01:35, 24 December 2006

Admin — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 01:35:39 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 01:35, 24 December 2006
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	[[#top]]		[[#top]]
-
-	== Test ==
-	Test

Admin at 01:35, 24 December 2006

Admin — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 01:35:15 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 01:35, 24 December 2006
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	[[#top]]		[[#top]]
		+
		+	== Test ==
		+	Test

Paul at 22:22, 23 December 2006

Paul — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 22:22:57 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 22:22, 23 December 2006
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	The evolution of satellites and the various NASA tracking networks provided the opportunity to refine the geodesy of the Earth and, in turn, improve the accuracy of navigation at lunar range. '''PA'''ssive '''GEO'''detic '''S'''atellite , '''PAGEOS-1''', and '''G'''eodetic '''E'''arth '''O'''rbiting '''S'''atellite, '''GEOS-B''' or GEOS-2, were designed to meet such geodetic objectives.		The evolution of satellites and the various NASA tracking networks provided the opportunity to refine the geodesy of the Earth and, in turn, improve the accuracy of navigation at lunar range. '''PA'''ssive '''GEO'''detic '''S'''atellite , '''PAGEOS-1''', and '''G'''eodetic '''E'''arth '''O'''rbiting '''S'''atellite, '''GEOS-B''' or GEOS-2, were designed to meet such geodetic objectives.

-	Leading up to the Apollo missions, a '''Tracking Camera''' was located at the SPAN site and a '''Mobile Laser''' at the RARR site. They assisted with the development of a more precise location of the USB antenna and led to more accurate tracking data for Apollo journeys to the Moon.	+	Leading up to the Apollo missions, a '''Tracking Camera''' was located at '''SPAN''' and a '''Mobile Laser''' at '''RARR'''. Each assisted with the development of a more precise location of Carnarvon and, in turn, more accurate tracking data for Apollo journeys to the Moon.

	== PAGEOS-1 ==		== PAGEOS-1 ==

Paul at 22:20, 23 December 2006

Paul — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 22:20:17 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 22:20, 23 December 2006
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	Leading up to the Apollo missions, a '''Tracking Camera''' was located at the SPAN site and a '''Mobile Laser''' at the RARR site. They assisted with the development of a more precise location of the USB antenna and led to more accurate tracking data for Apollo journeys to the Moon.		Leading up to the Apollo missions, a '''Tracking Camera''' was located at the SPAN site and a '''Mobile Laser''' at the RARR site. They assisted with the development of a more precise location of the USB antenna and led to more accurate tracking data for Apollo journeys to the Moon.
-
-	<BR><BR>

	== PAGEOS-1 ==		== PAGEOS-1 ==