NEW ANTENNA FEED REVITALIZES SPACE SHUTTLE TRACKER AT NASA EDWARDS

Abstract

A twelve foot diameter Single-Channel Monopulse Tracking System, relegated to slaved backup status at NASA Edwards, was rejuvenated to support research flights for Ames Dryden Research Center and for tracking orbital passes of the Space Shuttle and Shuttle landings both at Edwards and at White Sands. Status has been upgraded to that of Stand- Alone Telemetry Tracking System. A significant factor in this upgrading was the replacing of the Single-Channel Monopulse feed with a RADSCAN feed developed by EMP. Previously the system would not autotrack at elevation angles below five (5) degrees. Since modification the system automatically acquires the Space Shuttle when it appears on the horizon and autotracks from approximately two (2) degrees in elevation to touchdown. This, virtually unattended. This paper describes the RADSCAN and Single Channel Monopulse concepts individually and then makes a detailed comparison between the two.