Missile tracking with Global Positioning System /GPS/ satellites
Abstract
The Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS) is a high-precision worldwide network of orbiting navigation satellites. Precise position, velocity, and time are determined by receiving data simultaneously from four satellites and performing some computations. The GPS four-channel navigation receivers are, however, too large, heavy, and expensive for missile installation. A system design has been conceived that incorporates a precision L-band-to-S-band translator (less than 30 cu in) in the missile. The translator's signal is received by a standard telemetry antenna and is then split off to a ground-based GPS receiver. Use of the GPS satellites with a translator on the target has been proved in the Trident I program. The Satellite Tracking system currently in operation provides precision metric data through postflight data analysis.
- Publication:
-
AIAA
- Pub Date:
- November 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981flte.confR....H
- Keywords:
-
- Global Positioning System;
- Missile Tracking;
- Satellite Networks;
- Spacecraft Communication;
- Systems Engineering;
- Telemetry;
- Translators;
- Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command and Tracking