The scheduling of tracking times for interplanetary spacecraft on the Deep Space NetworkThe Deep Space Network (DSN) is a network of tracking stations, located throughout the globe, used to track spacecraft for NASA's interplanetary missions. This paper describes a computer program, DSNTRAK, which provides an optimum daily tracking schedule for the DSN given the view periods at each station for a mission set of n spacecraft, where n is between 2 and 6. The objective function is specified in terms of relative total daily tracking time requirements between the n spacecraft. Linear programming is used to maximize the total daily tracking time and determine an optimal daily tracking schedule consistent with DSN station capabilities. DSNTRAK is used as part of a procedure to provide DSN load forecasting information for proposed future NASA mission sets.
Document ID
19790034619
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Webb, W. A. (California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1978
Subject Category
Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command And Tracking
Meeting Information
Meeting: Institute of Management Sciences and Operations Research Society of America, Joint National Meeting