Satellite and Lunar Tracking Satellite and Lunar Tracking System AntennaSystem Antenna

(SALTSA)(SALTSA)

Brandon BobianBrandon BobianRyan HickmanRyan HickmanTim SullivanTim Sullivan

Keith WaymanKeith Wayman

BackgroundBackground

Antenna SpecificationsAntenna Specifications Two 60 ft parabolic dish antennasTwo 60 ft parabolic dish antennas 100 MHz – 10 GHz100 MHz – 10 GHz Coverage: Full Hemisphere Slew Rate Az/El: 40/40 deg/min

Restored antennas north of BoulderRestored antennas north of Boulder On federally mandated radio quiet zoneOn federally mandated radio quiet zone Managed by DSES since 1991Managed by DSES since 1991

ApplicationsApplications Tracking and DownlinkingTracking and Downlinking Radio AstronomyRadio Astronomy

Project ProposalProject Proposal

Establish a control/tracking Establish a control/tracking system for the parabolic system for the parabolic antennasantennas System should be System should be

autonomous (use TLEs)autonomous (use TLEs) Track MEO satellites (orbital Track MEO satellites (orbital

period of ~8 hours)period of ~8 hours) Steer (fine adjust) based on Steer (fine adjust) based on

the power of the received the power of the received signalsignal

Capable of parking/storing the Capable of parking/storing the antenna when wind speeds antenna when wind speeds are in excess of 25mphare in excess of 25mph

Project Proposal Cont.Project Proposal Cont. Long term tracking (>6 hours)Long term tracking (>6 hours) Precision and Accuracy of better than 0.25 degPrecision and Accuracy of better than 0.25 deg Ability to decode L-band EME (Earth-Moon-Ability to decode L-band EME (Earth-Moon-

Earth) signal transmission/reflectionEarth) signal transmission/reflection

ResourcesResources FacilitiesFacilities

DSES AntennasDSES Antennas Table Mountain, Boulder CountyTable Mountain, Boulder County

Additional AdvisorsAdditional Advisors DSES MembersDSES Members

Additional FundsAdditional Funds NoneNone