THE SPACE SHUTTLE ORBITER’S KU-BAND RADAR SUBSYSTEM

Abstract

The Space Shuttle Orbiter’s Ku-band integrated radar and communications subsystem will function in its radar role during satellite rendezvous. As a radar the Ku-band subsystem searches for, acquires, and then tracks targets. In the track mode, the radar outputs measured range, range-rate, angle, and angle-rate values to both the Orbiter’s general purpose computer (GPC) and the astronaut’s Ku-band subsystem control panel. This data is used to navigate the Orbiter to its satellite rendezvous. The radar is integrated with the Ku-band communications function and thus achieves reduction in weight and volume compared with separate subsystems for each function. This paper provides a user oriented description of the radar subsystem. Topics to be covered are radar requirements, modes of operation, and system configuration.