3
$\begingroup$

I have heard that SpaceX uses some kind of phased array system. I guess, this is reasonable because the speed of the rocket makes usage of any movable parts impossible.

However, I am not an engineer and want to know, how they position the system around the starting and landing pads to allow 3D positioning of the tracked device. I also wonder which frequency and tx power is necessary and what hardware the rocket has to interact with the system?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
4
  • $\begingroup$ Looks great! fyi I've just asked What were those motorized human-piloted platforms with helical antennas called (tracking launches)? $\endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Nov 9, 2017 at 13:26
  • $\begingroup$ Oh, this might be helpful/interesting: space.stackexchange.com/a/8061/12102 It's an R&D effort, not used in routine launches as you are asking about here. $\endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Nov 9, 2017 at 13:28
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ I also think it is an interesting question, and I belive the systems works similar to beamforming in the upcoming 5g standard $\endgroup$
    – dgrat
    Nov 9, 2017 at 13:29
  • $\begingroup$ The speed of the rocket is not too high to use a parabolic dish as the antenna. You just have to make the drive motors powerful enough to keep up. Nasa used to use human-aimed cameras for tracking, slow human reflexes would be more of a bottleneck than slewing a dish. $\endgroup$
    – Hobbes
    Nov 13, 2017 at 9:27

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
3
$\begingroup$

KSC has a 640 antenna system to track wind shear at the launch site up to about 60000 feet. It is not used for tracking.

The air force at Cape Canaveral air force station houses the 45th space wing, which operates the TEL-4 tracking station. It seems to be vital for launches and there are no launches when it doesn't work. Unfortunately, no more information available on this.

There is a TDRSS tracking and data satellite system, which is a network of satellites to track rockets and satellites and it is the current system for tracking and launch support.

Also, since you wrote you heard this, sometimes many antennas are referred to as an "array of antennas", but this does not mean, they are operating together or are phased.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
4
  • $\begingroup$ With heard I mean, some info I got from related companies. So it is very likely that they use phased arrays, but I got no details about the system itself. Beside this, I think it is smart to use phased arrays :D $\endgroup$
    – dgrat
    Nov 13, 2017 at 14:24
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ Can you add a link or reference that supports "KSC has a 640 antenna system"? I don't doubt it, but in stackexchange facts like that cited in answers need to be supported, and wow I'd love to read about it further (as might future readers). Since it's such a specific number, it must be coming from somewhere. Thanks! $\endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Nov 15, 2017 at 2:25
  • $\begingroup$ It would have been nice to have that wind profiler when I was working shuttle DOLILU! $\endgroup$
    – Organic Marble
    Nov 22, 2017 at 0:53
  • $\begingroup$ Who are you again? $\endgroup$
    – mike
    Nov 22, 2017 at 1:09

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.