Accession Number:

AD0600956

Title:

ANALOG ORBIT COMPUTER

Descriptive Note:

Group rept.

Corporate Author:

MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH LEXINGTON LINCOLN LAB

Personal Author(s):

• Smith, N. P.
• Wright, S. H.

Report Date:

1964-04-16

Pagination or Media Count:

21.0

Abstract:

The problem of pointing an instrument on the earths surface at an object in orbit about the earth was investigated. Necessary expressions were derived for calculating continuously azimuth, elevation, range, and range rate from inputs of instrument site and orbit parameters. An electromechanical orbit computer capable of performing the required mathematical operations is described. Test results are listed for a similar computer used against a typical orbiting body.

Descriptors:

• *ARTIFICIAL SATELLITES
• *TRACKING
• ANALOG COMPUTERS
• TARGET POSITION INDICATORS
• ELECTROMECHANICAL CONVERTERS
• COMPUTERS
• ORBITS
• POSITION FINDING

Subject Categories:

• Unmanned Spacecraft

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE