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GPS Sounding Rocket Development at NASA with Simultaneous Multi-Payload Tracking ApplicationAn inverse differential GPS system has been developed for Sounding Rocket use which includes the flight unit and a ground station capable of extracting GPS data from sounding rocket telemetry, performing a real time differential solution and graphically displaying the rocket's path relative to a predicted trajectory plot. Accuracy has been proven to within less than 10 meters. Postprocessing has increased the precision to within 10 - 20 centimeters. The system has been successfully flown several times and delivered to the Sounding Program Office for routine field use. In addition to providing position, velocity and time GPS data has been used on sounding rockets for vehicle performance analysis, effecting a one hundred fold improvement in data time tagging, and steering an optical tracking device to intercept payloads launched from over the horizon. Precise velocity separation information and timing has been provided to multiple payload systems. Future plans include its use for Range Safety and enabling of interferometric techniques. The technology and software developed also has potential application to small satellite navigation and formation flying.
Document ID
20000040113
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Bull, Barton
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Martel, Hugh
(Waypoint Consulting, Inc. Calgary, Alberta Canada)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2000
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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