利用VLBI技术进行深空航天器跟踪的仿真分析
Simulations Models and Analyses on VLBI Spacecraft Tracking
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摘要: 差分VLBI(D-VLBI)技术常用于测量航天器相对于参考射电源的角位置,用其跟踪深空航天器可取得足够高的精度。针对深空探测任务中D-VLBI技术的特性,提供了观测时间间隔的设置参考,通过仿真分析,研究了航天器和参考射电源之间的角距离、传播路径上的介质差异等因素及其对观测精度的影响,为后续深空航天器飞行任务的设计提供技术支持。Abstract: Differential VLBI (D-VLBI) is commonly used in VLBI spacecraft tracking in order to reach sufficient accuracy. Despite the simple concept of measuring a spacecraft’s angular distance to a well-known quasar, this method also holds some characteristics that are worth closer inspection. In this paper, the measurement principle is demonstrated and some basic thoughts on the observation sequence and the resultant scan gaps as well as on the separation angle between the reference source and the spacecraft are presented. This is followed by some geometrical reflections on the similarity of the transmission media. The results in this paper will provide technical support for the subsequent spacecraft mission.