Worldwide coverage of the Phase II Navstar satellite constellation
Abstract
The Navstar/GPS is not in Phase II, the Full Scale Engineering Development phase, which will extend into 1983. For the next few years, before the buildup to an operational 18-satellite constellation, four, five, or possibly six satellites will be maintained on orbit to support a variety of Phase II activities. This paper presents an overview of worldwide coverage provided by the Phase II constellation, showing the variation between many locations on the earth. With only four or five satellites in the current development phase, Navstar is a part-time system that provides potential users a few hours of service each day. This could be useful for those users who are able to adjust their operations to when the satellites are visible or who wish to gain experience with Navstar prior to the buildup to the operational satellite constellation.
- Publication:
-
National Aerospace Meeting
- Pub Date:
- 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981naae.meet...33B
- Keywords:
-
- Global Positioning System;
- Navstar Satellites;
- Satellite Navigation Systems;
- Satellite Networks;
- Satellite Orbits;
- Spacecraft Communication;
- Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command and Tracking