INTERFEROMETRIC TRACKING SYSTEM FOR THE TRACKING AND DATA RELAY SATELLITE (TDRS)

WE PROPOSE TO PERFORM THE DESIGN OF AN R&D SATELLITE TRACKING SYSTEM BASED ON RADIO INTERFEROMETRIC PRINCIPLES. THE SYSTEM WILL BE DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO TRACK VERY PRECISELY NASA'S TRACKING AND DATA RELAY SATELLITES (TDRS). THE TRACKING SYSTEM WILL BE A PASSIVE OPPORTUNISTIC USER OF THE KU-BAND AND S-BAND TRANSMISSION FROM THE TDRS IN ITS NORMAL MODE OF OPERATION AND THE OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM WILL NOT REQUIRE SCHEDULING OF THE TDRS OR ANY OTHER COOPERATION FROM NASA. WE PROPOSE TO CONSTRUCT, DEPLOY, AND OPERATE THIS SYSTEM IN PHASE II AND THE ANALYSIS OF THE DATA PRODUCED AND COMPARISON OF RESULTS WITH THOSE FROM THE OPERATIONAL TDRS TRACKING SYSTEM WILL DEMONSTRATE PROOF OF THE CONCEPT.