Pre-launch and post-launch testing of the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) laser rangefinder

Ashruf S. El-Dinary; Timothy D. Cole

doi:10.1117/12.254040

18 October 1996 Pre-launch and post-launch testing of the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) laser rangefinder

Ashruf S. El-Dinary, Timothy D. Cole

Proceedings Volume 2811, Photonics for Space Environments IV; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.254040
Event: SPIE's 1996 International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1996, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

The NEAR spacecraft was launched on February 17, 1996. Qualification tests conducted on the NEAR laser rangefinder allowed evaluation of the instrument's performance and provided calibration data prior to launch. From these data, we were able to determine the system electronic delays, the receiver rangewalk, and the receiver noise floor. The first operational test occurred on April 25, 1996. This post- launch test of the rangefinder verified survival of the instrument and provided data on the calibration parameters listed above. This paper describes these parameters and their significance to rangefinder operations. An interference test was conducted on May 22, 1996. This test allowed engineers to evaluate the effect of laser operations on data from other instruments. The post-launch test and interference are described and the results from these test are presented.

Citation Download Citation

Ashruf S. El-Dinary and Timothy D. Cole "Pre-launch and post-launch testing of the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) laser rangefinder", Proc. SPIE 2811, Photonics for Space Environments IV, (18 October 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.254040

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