Performance of differenced range data types in Voyager navigation
Abstract
Voyager radio navigation made use of differenced range data type for both Saturn encounters because of the low declination singularity of Doppler data. Nearly simultaneous two-way range from two-station baselines was explicitly differenced to produce this data type. Concurrently, a differential VLBI data type (DDOR), utilizing doubly differenced quasar-spacecraft delays, with potentially higher precision was demonstrated. Performance of these data types is investigated on the Jupiter to Saturn leg of Voyager 2. The statistics of performance are presented in terms of actual data noise comparisons and sample orbit estimates. Use of DDOR as a primary data type for navigation to Uranus is discussed.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Guidance Control Dynamics
- Pub Date:
- June 1984
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 1984JGCD....7..301T
- Keywords:
-
- Interplanetary Flight;
- Radio Navigation;
- Space Navigation;
- Voyager Project;
- Spacecraft Trajectories;
- Statistical Analysis;
- Very Long Base Interferometry;
- Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command and Tracking