THE GERMAN TELECOMMAND GROUND STATION FOR HELIOS-A NEW CONCEPT

Abstract

The new German Telecommand Station for the HELIOS project differs from previous DSN stations in several respects (new concept). Automation has been developed to such an extent that all normal manual operations (subsystem adjustments, station operating etc.) will be performed by computer. Manual back-up mode is also provided. For interference reasons (with existing microwave links) the antenna has to be designed for optimum side-lobe suppression rather than optimum gain. Another new aspect is the continuous use of the spacecraft receiver (engineering model) for simulated command reception and checking.