EXPLORER XVII (1963 9A) REAL TIME PCM TELEMETRY DATA PROCESSING AND DISPLAY TEST STAND

摘要

The Atmospheric Structure Satellite (Goddard Space Flight Center project S-6), successfully launched on April 2, 1963, was designated Explorer XVII. This spacecraft operated on command, consumed high power, and had the highest PCM telemetry data rate of any scientific satellite at the date of launch. A major problem related to the develop ment, test, and orbital monitoring of this spacecraft was the quick and accurate evaluation of the telemetry data. The problem was solved by incorporating an automatic data processing system as an integral part of the spacecraft telemetry test stand. Two such systems were utilized in the integration, test, and prelaunch phases and for orbital monitoring throughout the scheduled 100-day satellite lifetime.