Technology requirements for an orbital navigation/position finding system
Abstract
The concept of an orbiting personal navigation system as a possible application for a large space structure is considered. The navigation system would have to be part of a large, integrated, multifunction Information Service Platform to justify its complexity and assured use by a large segment of the civilian population. The navigation configuration is a large cruciform which utilizes a linear phased array antenna design. The two antenna arms generate narrow, orthogonal beam patterns on the ground which are electrically scanned east to west and south to north. A passive ground receiver detecting the beam passage determines the user's position in earth longitude and latitude coordinates.
- Publication:
-
American Astronautical Society
- Pub Date:
- October 1978
- Bibcode:
- 1978aans.confQ....L
- Keywords:
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- Large Space Structures;
- Navigation Instruments;
- Orbital Position Estimation;
- Position Indicators;
- Space Navigation;
- Antenna Design;
- Linear Arrays;
- Phased Arrays;
- Technology Assessment;
- User Requirements;
- Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command and Tracking