$Unique_ID{USH00025} $Pretitle{2} $Title{NASA, The First 25 Years 1958-1983 Chapter 10 Tracking and Data Systems} $Subtitle{} $Author{Thorne, Muriel M., Technical Monitor & Editor} $Affiliation{NASA} $Subject{space stations network system tracking data satellite stdn australia deep} $Volume{} $Date{1983} $Log{Deep Space Antenna*0002501.scf } Book: NASA, The First 25 Years 1958-1983 Author: Thorne, Muriel M., Technical Monitor & Editor Affiliation: NASA Date: 1983 Chapter 10 Tracking and Data Systems Pioneer 10 at the edge of the solar system. Columbia and Challenger crews in space. Landsat. Voyager encounters with Jupiter and Saturn. Lunar bases. The vital link between these missions and Earth is the Space Tracking and Data Systems. [See Deep Space Antenna: The 64 meter Deep Space Network antenna at the Madrid Tracking Station Complex.] Their name describes their work - to keep track of where spacecraft are in orbit, tell them what to do, get information from them, and process that information into a meaningful form. This is done primarily through two worldwide networks - one for Earth-orbiting operations and the other for deep space missions. A global communications system called NASCOM (NASA Communications System) links the networks with NASA mission control centers. The networks support an average of 20 to 30 different satellites and space probes daily. Through the years they have enjoyed some remarkable successes as they have adapted to changing requirements and technological progress. Originally able only to receive and transmit data, tracking stations now also have advanced data processing and command capabilities. Today there are two separate tracking systems. The Space Tracking and Data Network (STDN), managed by the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), is an international system of tracking facilities for Earth-orbital and suborbital missions. The Deep Space Network, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), consists of three tracking stations around the world for the support of deep space missions. The new Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS), with the first satellite launched from the Space Shuttle Challenger on STS-6 in April 1983, is an in-orbit communications link with other spacecraft and eventually will replace ground-based STDN. Minitrack 1958-1963 In 1958, NASA acquired the international network of "Minitrack" stations that had been formed by the Naval Research Laboratory to support the International Geophysical Year. These stations could receive, record, and transmit telemetry data, but could not give commands. Between 1959 and 1963, NASA added new stations to support the growing space program and upgraded the capabilities at existing stations. In 1962, construction of the first 26-meter (85-foot) diameter parabolic antenna was completed at Fairbanks, Alaska. Minitrack Stations: 1958 San Diego, CA Blossom Point, MD Antiqua, West Indies Quito, Ecuador Lima, Peru Antofagasta, Chile - to 1963 Santiago, Chile Woomera, Australia Eselen Park, South Africa Johannesburg, South Africa 1959 Fort Myers, FL 1960 East Grand Forks, MN Goldstone, CA 1961 Fairbanks, AK St. Johns, Newfoundland Winkfield, England 1963 Rosman, NC Canberra, Australia Satellite Network 1963-1964 As 26-m antennas were added to the Minitrack system in the early 1960's, the system became known as the Satellite Network. In 1964, 12-m (40-ft) antennas were added in Johannesburg, South Africa; Quito, Ecuador; and Santiago, Chile. Space Tracking and Data Acquisition Network (STADAN) 1964-1972 In 1964, NASA installed the Satellite Telemetry Automatic Reduction (STAR) system, a data processing system that significantly expanded the satellite network's capabilities. The network, which became known as STADAN, could command satellite functions and acquire data, as well as track satellites. Increased capabilities of the STADAN system allowed some Minitrack stations to be phased out. At the end of 1969, ten STADAN stations were operational. STADAN Stations: Canberra (Orroral Valley), Australia Fairbanks, AK Fort Myers, FL Goldstone, CA Johannesburg (Hartebeesthoek), South Africa Quito, Ecuador Rosman, NC Santiago, Chile Tananarive, Madagascar Winkfield, England Manned Space Flight Network (MSFN) 1962-1972 There was a separate tracking network for manned spaceflight until 1972. The network created in 1958 to support Project Mercury was augmented in 1962 for Project Gemini. The MSFN stations consisting of airplane, ship, and ground-based antennas could track, command, receive data, and communicate with the astronauts and the target Vehicle. The system was updated again for the Apollo program and consisted of ten 9-meter antennas, one 9-meter transportable station, five ships, and eight aircraft. MSFN Stations: Antigua Ascension Island Bermuda Canary Islands Canberra, Australia (Honeysuckle Creek) (Orroral Valley) Canton Island Carnarvon, Australia Corpus Christi, Tx Eglin AFB, FL Goldstone, CA Grand Bahama Island Grand Turk Island Guam Guaymas, Mexico Kano, Nigeria Kauai, Hawaii Madrid, Spain Merritt Island, FL Muchea, Australia Point Arguello, CA Tananarive, Madagascar White Sands, NM In 1972, MSFN was merged with STADAN. Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network (STDN) 1972-to date STADAN and MSFN became STDN, an international network of 15 stations. Twelve of these stations track manned and unmanned Earth orbital and suborbital missions. Three special purpose stations will be used for support of the Space Shuttle. During the 19705, the STDN network was continually improved to provide greater data processing capabilities. The STDN system provides coverage up to about 20 percent of the time. Most equipment on the STDN network was installed in the mid-1960's to support the Apollo program, and although obsolescence and maintenance difficulties have increased with time, the network has continued to provide consistent service longer than expected. The new TDRS system will allow many STDN stations to be closed. STDN Stations: Ascension Island Bermuda Canberra (Orroral Valley), Australia Fairbanks, AK Greenbelt, MD Goldstone, CA Guam Kausi, HI Madrid, Spain Merritt Island, FL Quito, Ecuador Rosman, NC Santiago, Chile Winkfield, England Deep Space Network (DSN) The Deep Space Network is a system designed to provide command, control, tracking, and data acquisition for deep space missions. Its three sites in Goldstone, California; Madrid, Spain; and Canberra, Australia are located approximately 120 degrees apart and provide 24-hour line of sight coverage. DSN, managed by JPL, consists of three 64-m (210-ft) diameter antennas, five 26-m (85-ft) antennas, and one 34-m (111-ft) antenna. During the Voyager 1 encounter with Saturn, DSN recovered over 99 percent of the 17,000 images transmitted. The network was able to determine the position of Voyager 1 to within 337 km (209 mi) upon its closest approach to Saturn. This high level of performance was made possible with the use of the network's radiometric system, the spacecraft cameras, and the use of antenna arraying. The arraying technique is done electronically by combining signals received from two antennas at each site. Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) When operational, the in-orbit tracking system, TDRSS, will revolutionize global coverage of Earth-orbiting spacecraft. The largest and most advanced communications satellites developed thus far, TDRSS will consist of two satellites and an in-orbit spare. They will provide almost full-time coverage of the Space Shuttle and up to 26 other satellites. The TDRSS satellites weigh about 2,250 kilograms (5,000 lbs) and measure 17 meters (57 ft) across. The operational satellites will be positioned over the Equator about 130 degrees apart, with the spare centrally located for use in case of a malfunction. The data acquired will be sent directly to NASA's White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico. Facilities at the White Sands ground terminal include three 1 8-m (59-ft) Ku-band communications. Initially, TDRSS will Support the Space Shuttle, Spacelab, and Landsat 4. For The Classroom 1. Have your students locate tracking Stations on a map. Discuss why several stations are needed for one system, but only three for another. 2. Keep a class file on the TDRS System. 3. Have your students research one tracking station - its use, geography, history, impact on the community. 4. Secondary school teachers may obtain a copy of Teachers' Guide for Building and Operating Weather Satellite Ground Stations from the Educational Programs Officer, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (202.3), Greenbelt, MD 20771. The publication gives the information needed to construct, modify, and operate a weather satellite recording station.