Goddard Range and Range Rate
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| - | A part of the '''Satellite Tracking and Data Network''' (STADAN), the '''Goddard Range and Range Rate''' (GRARR) system provided 24 hours/day-7 days/week support for most of its operational life. Though not as memorable as the '''Manned Space Flight Network''' (MSFN) activities located on adjacent sand hills, it was the workhorse of CRO - the Carnarvon Tracking Station. | + | A part of the '''Satellite Tracking and Data Network''' (STADAN), the '''Goddard Range and Range Rate''' (GRARR) system provided 24 hours/day-7 days/week support for most of its operational life. Though not as memorable as the '''Manned Space Flight Network''' (MSFN) activities located on adjacent sand hills, it was the workhorse of the Carnarvon Tracking Station. |
| - | The GRAAR equipment occupied two vans while the local friendly rivals, the T&C and the FPQ-6, occupied more substantial housing. The vans were named by its rivals as Cuthbert’s Cosy Caravan Park (CCCP) in honor of its first supervising engineer, Ron Cuthbert; a local humorous allusion to the then more bitter space rivalry between the USA and the USSR (an English translation of CCCP). | + | The GRAAR equipment occupied two vans while the local friendly rivals, the T&C and the FPQ-6, were housed more substantially. The vans were named by its rivals as ''Cuthbert’s Cosy Caravan Park'' (CCCP) after its first supervising engineer, Ron Cuthbert; a local humorous allusion to the then more bitter space rivalry between the USA and the USSR (the English translation of CCCP). |
| - | GRARR equipment was designed for operational simplicity of both ground tracking equipment and satellite transponders to support, in particular, highly-eccentric or synchronous satellites. | + | GRARR equipment was designed for operational simplicity of both ground tracking equipment and satellite transponders to support, in particular, highly-eccentric or synchronous satellites. Initially the site provided only 'range and range rate tracking' but was sequentially upgraded to provide 'data collection' and 'command' facilities as each new generation of satellite was developed: FM/FM telemetry and command for the Bios missions from 1966; PCM/FM telemetry and PRN-range coding for the GEOS-B mission from 1968; and further upgrades for the higher tech SMS and AE missions in 1973. |
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| - | Initially the site provided only 'range and range rate tracking' but was sequentially upgraded to provide 'data collection' and 'command' facilities as each new generation of satellite was developed: FM/FM telemetry and command for the Bios missions from 1966; PCM/FM telemetry and PRN-range coding for the GEOS-B mission from 1968; and further upgrades for the higher tech SMS and AE missions in 1973. | + | |
| The site became increasingly integrated into the general operations of CRO. A coaxial cable was installed between the T&C and GRARR in 1967 to facilitate time recovery for the GRARR or USB atomic clocks if either lost its epoch. The link became even more effective when the Goddard Mobile Laser and its associated atomic clock were located at the foot of the VHF antenna. | The site became increasingly integrated into the general operations of CRO. A coaxial cable was installed between the T&C and GRARR in 1967 to facilitate time recovery for the GRARR or USB atomic clocks if either lost its epoch. The link became even more effective when the Goddard Mobile Laser and its associated atomic clock were located at the foot of the VHF antenna. | ||
| CRO was always a pro-active tracking station. It received the mission manuals for all NASA missions whether they were specific to CRO or not. Once the co-axial cable was installed, CRO examined the manual for each mission it was not intended to support and where it established it could combine T&C and GRARR resources to provide support, it advised the relevant mission control of the potential capability; the station was often called upon to provide support in a critical situation. In late 1971 the STADAN and MSFN networks were combined as an economy measure to form the '''Satellite Tracking and Data Network''' (STDN); and the local partnership became increasingly formal until CRO was closed in early 1975 as a further economy measure. | CRO was always a pro-active tracking station. It received the mission manuals for all NASA missions whether they were specific to CRO or not. Once the co-axial cable was installed, CRO examined the manual for each mission it was not intended to support and where it established it could combine T&C and GRARR resources to provide support, it advised the relevant mission control of the potential capability; the station was often called upon to provide support in a critical situation. In late 1971 the STADAN and MSFN networks were combined as an economy measure to form the '''Satellite Tracking and Data Network''' (STDN); and the local partnership became increasingly formal until CRO was closed in early 1975 as a further economy measure. | ||
Revision as of 08:55, 17 January 2007
Goddard Range and Range Rate
- Antennas and tracking
- Telemetry and command
- Darwin sub-station
- Location Project
- Support highlights
- Mission Profile
Back to Station Equipment
All GRARR sections are now complete except 'Telemetry and Command'.
A part of the Satellite Tracking and Data Network (STADAN), the Goddard Range and Range Rate (GRARR) system provided 24 hours/day-7 days/week support for most of its operational life. Though not as memorable as the Manned Space Flight Network (MSFN) activities located on adjacent sand hills, it was the workhorse of the Carnarvon Tracking Station.
The GRAAR equipment occupied two vans while the local friendly rivals, the T&C and the FPQ-6, were housed more substantially. The vans were named by its rivals as Cuthbert’s Cosy Caravan Park (CCCP) after its first supervising engineer, Ron Cuthbert; a local humorous allusion to the then more bitter space rivalry between the USA and the USSR (the English translation of CCCP).
GRARR equipment was designed for operational simplicity of both ground tracking equipment and satellite transponders to support, in particular, highly-eccentric or synchronous satellites. Initially the site provided only 'range and range rate tracking' but was sequentially upgraded to provide 'data collection' and 'command' facilities as each new generation of satellite was developed: FM/FM telemetry and command for the Bios missions from 1966; PCM/FM telemetry and PRN-range coding for the GEOS-B mission from 1968; and further upgrades for the higher tech SMS and AE missions in 1973.
The site became increasingly integrated into the general operations of CRO. A coaxial cable was installed between the T&C and GRARR in 1967 to facilitate time recovery for the GRARR or USB atomic clocks if either lost its epoch. The link became even more effective when the Goddard Mobile Laser and its associated atomic clock were located at the foot of the VHF antenna.
CRO was always a pro-active tracking station. It received the mission manuals for all NASA missions whether they were specific to CRO or not. Once the co-axial cable was installed, CRO examined the manual for each mission it was not intended to support and where it established it could combine T&C and GRARR resources to provide support, it advised the relevant mission control of the potential capability; the station was often called upon to provide support in a critical situation. In late 1971 the STADAN and MSFN networks were combined as an economy measure to form the Satellite Tracking and Data Network (STDN); and the local partnership became increasingly formal until CRO was closed in early 1975 as a further economy measure.
