THE S-BAND BEACON RECEIVER FOR THE MIDCOURSE SPACE EXPERIMENT

The Applied Physics Laboratory has developed a space-based system, cal led the S-band Beacon Receiver, to perform high-resolution angle track ing of cooperative targets for the Midcourse Space Experiment program. During its five-year on-orbit lifetime, the S-band Beacon Receiver mu st track targets that emit 4 W of S-band beacon power from as far away as 8000 km to an accuracy of +/-0.1-degrees X +/-0.1-degrees over +/- 3-degrees X +/-3-degrees about boresight. This article describes the B eacon Receiver system and the design features required to achieve the performance specifications.