Hipparcos

The primary objective of Hipparcos is to provide very accurate star map data and star position accuracies on the order of 2 arc seconds. Hipparcos was planned to be in a geostationary orbit, but due to failure of the apogee motor, it is currently in a high elliptical orbit and has a 10.8 hour period. Goldstone 26 m will provide 6-8 hours per day support for real-time telemetry and command. Mission-dependent equipment is required at Goldstone, and telemetry and command data will be transmitted from Goldstone to European Space Operations Control Center (ESOC) via satellite links. Operations support is scheduled to begin 12 Mar. 1990.