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Title:
The Radio Frequency Subsystem and Radio Science on the MESSENGER Mission
Authors:
Srinivasan, Dipak K.; Perry, Mark E.; Fielhauer, Karl B.; Smith, David E.; Zuber, Maria T.
Affiliation:
AA(Space Department, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory), AB(Space Department, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory), AC(Space Department, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory), AD(Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center), AE(Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Publication:
Space Science Reviews, Volume 131, Issue 1-4, pp. 557-571 (SSRv Homepage)
Publication Date:
08/2007
Origin:
SPRINGER
Keywords:
MESSENGER, Mercury, Telecommunications system, Radio science, Gravity science, Spacecraft tracking, Gravitational field
Abstract Copyright:
(c) 2007: Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
DOI:
10.1007/s11214-007-9270-7
Bibliographic Code:
2007SSRv..131..557S

Abstract

The MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) Radio Frequency (RF) Telecommunications Subsystem is used to send commands to the spacecraft, transmit information on the state of the spacecraft and science-related observations, and assist in navigating the spacecraft to and in orbit about Mercury by providing precise observations of the spacecraft’s Doppler velocity and range in the line of sight to Earth. The RF signal is transmitted and received at X-band frequencies (7.2 GHz uplink, 8.4 GHz downlink) by the NASA Deep Space Network. The tracking data from MESSENGER will contribute significantly to achieving the mission’s geophysics objectives. The RF subsystem, as the radio science instrument, will help determine Mercury’s gravitational field and, in conjunction with the Mercury Laser Altimeter instrument, help determine the topography of the planet. Further analysis of the data will improve the knowledge of the planet’s orbital ephemeris and rotation state. The rotational state determination includes refined measurements of the obliquity and forced physical libration, which are necessary to characterize Mercury’s core state.
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