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GP-B Post-Flight Analysis—Final Report - Gravity Probe B - Stanford ...

GP-B Post-Flight Analysis—Final Report - Gravity Probe B - Stanford ...

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8.4.2 Ground Network OperationsuFigure 8-29. The Svalbard Ground Station Network.The transponder mode for the GN is only one, as shown below. In the event of a safemode, the GN cannot beused, as the transponder is switched into a TDRS mode. However, it is possible to command (uplink only)during a GN while the vehicle is in a safemode, but this has not been necessary. Ground sites are scheduled aspredicted by line-of-sight, based on the <strong>GP</strong>-B attitude (for antenna use), orbit and site location over the rotatingEarth.Table 8-3. Ground Station SetupGround Stations used by <strong>GP</strong>-BCommand(bps)Telemetry(bps)8.4.3 Communications AnomaliesAlaska, Wallops, Svalbard Ground StationCoherencyMode Service Antenna Used Condition2000 2.56 M Non All GN Sites Fwd/Aft NominalThe <strong>Gravity</strong> <strong>Probe</strong> B Spacecraft, when using the Forward Antenna Transponder-A has a reduced forward linkperformance on TDRSS contacts. In addition, during the mission various issues with ground communicationsalso occurred. To date, <strong>GP</strong>-B has experience no problems due to mutual interference with other spacecraft, butthis could potentially be an issue in the future, as discussed at the end of this section.8.4.3.1 Transponder-A Communication AnomalyThe anomalous behavior, which became apparent after <strong>GP</strong>-B began on orbit operations, effectively reduces thereceived Signal to Noise by 15 to 20 dB. It is believed that the reduced performance is due to an increase in thetransponder noise floor, which rises at temperatures below 30 degrees C and increases as the transponder cools.The most likely root cause is a low level out-of-band oscillation in the second Low Noise Amplifier, which wasinduced during the retrofit to a new assigned frequency in October 2002.<strong>Gravity</strong> <strong>Probe</strong> B — <strong>Post</strong> <strong>Flight</strong> Analysis • Final <strong>Report</strong> March 2007 235

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