AAS 95-441

Goddard Space Flight Center Flight Dynamics Division Ascent Acquisition Support of Space Shuttle Rendezvous Missions

P. P. Powers, J. O. Cappellari, Jr., and L. March, Computer Science Corporation, J. P. Lynch and G. C. Marr, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD

Abstract

This paper describes a methodology for determining the minimum number of postascent and post-Orbital-Maneuvering-System-2 (post-OMS-2) state vectors required for Space Network (SN) and Ground Network (GN) support of Space Shuttle rendezvous missions. The unique ascent profiles of rendezvous missions require multiple state vectors in order for the GN and SN to maintain satisfactory communications with the Space Shuttle. The described methodology has led to Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Flight Dynamics Facility (FDF) support procedures that significantly reduce the workload on FDF personnel during the very intense and time-critical launch support period.