Paper ID: 5a004

NASA FUTURE OPERATIONS AT KA-BAND FOR LEO SPACECRAFT SUPPORT

Badri Younes Code 450, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771 Tel: (301) 286-5089; Fax: (301) 286-1724; E-mail: badri.younes@gsfc.nasa.gov David Zillig Code 450, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771 Tel: (301) 286-8003; Fax: (301) 286-1724; E-mail: david.j.zillig.1@gsfc.nasa.gov Anthony Comberiate Code 405, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA Tel: (301) 286-5678; Fax: (301) 286-1721; E-mail: anthony.comberiate@gsfc.nasa.gov Mark Burns Stanford Telecommunications, 1761 Business Center Drive, Reston, VA 20190 Tel: (703) 438-8155; Fax: (703) 438-8112; E-mail: mburns@sed.stel.com Robert Chang Stanford Telecommunications, 1761 Business Center Drive, Reston, VA 20190 Tel: (703) 438-8020; Fax: (703) 438-8112; E-Mail: rchang@sed.stel.com

ABSTRACT S-band, X-band, and Ku-band services currently support the tracking and data acquisition needs of NASAs Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) spacecraft. LEO spacecraft can transfer data directly to ground stations using S-band and X-band frequencies. LEO spacecraft can also transfer data to the ground at S-band and Ku-band frequencies via the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) which is part of NASAs Space Network (SN). With increasing congestion and regulatory issues in these bands combined with growing requirements for higher science data rates, wider bandwidths were allocated at Ka-band for inter-satellite and earth exploration-satellite services. In the early 2000s, Ka-band space-to-space link service will be available for LEO spacecraft via NASAs next generation TDRSS spacecraft (TDRS H,I,J). This paper addresses three areas related to NASAs use of Ka-band. First, NASA operations that currently exist at S-, X-, and Ku-bands are discussed and compared to future Ka-band services that will be provided by TDRS H,I,J spacecraft. NASAs move into Ka-band for TDRSS operations is driven by a number of regulatory and technical issues. For example, increasing congestion in Sband due to new commercial systems may lead to the potential for interference and service degradation to TDRSS users. Also, the feasibility of NASAs continued use of Ku-band is questionable due to the secondary allocation at the Ku-band frequencies currently used by TDRSS. X-band spectrum crowding and sharing requirements with other organizations have limited NASAs use of this band. Ka-band allocations for TDRS H,I,J links are primary on a worldwide basis allowing user spacecraft to transmit at higher data rates than currently available. The second topic addressed in this paper is the TDRS H,I,J program in terms of its development status and capabilities. The purpose of this program is to continue the current TDRSS constellation to 2012, while adding new capabilities such as Ka-band single access (KaSA) services and enhanced S-band multiple access(SMA) services. NASA Space Network operations are discussed in terms of new Ka-band capabilities such as frequency and polarization agility to minimize interference and the higher bandwidth available for return links. This paper concludes with a presentation and analysis of unique operational scenarios that are available to LEO spacecraft operating at Ka-band. Overlapping frequency allocations in the 25.5 to 27 GHz band for TDRS H,I,J space-to-space and direct space-to-earth communications may 1

Paper ID: 5a004 provide Ka-band LEO spacecraft, using a single antenna, the option of communicating either directly to a ground station or via TDRS H,I,J. Performance analyses are presented for these options in terms of achievable data rates, and ground and TDRSS contact times. This paper also examines the impact to users operating at Ka-band in terms of available Ka-band technologies. NASA is promoting use of the Ka-band allocation via a web site containing a survey of available Ka-band technology. The web site is: http://ses.stel.com:8080/kaband. 1.0 OVERVIEW OF NASA OPERATIONS 1.1 TDRSS OVERVIEW Table 1 summarizes TDRS H,I,J services in 2000+ and compares them with existing TDRSS services. Figure 1 illustrates the TDRS H,I,J spacecraft and TDRSS network elements. The TDRSS provides tracking (i.e., range and Doppler measurements) and data relay services for earth orbiting spacecraft, aircraft, balloons, and launch vehicles. TDRSS has orbital allocations of 41 deg. W, 46 deg. W, 171 deg. W, 174 deg. W, and 275 deg. W. The current TDR spacecraft employs S-and Ku-band for space-to-space links (SSLs) with a user spacecraft and Ku-band for space-to-ground links (SGLs) with a ground station located in White Sands, New Mexico. The TDRS H,I,J spacecraft will add Ka-band user SSLs capability and provide enhanced S-band multiple access capabilities. The current TDRSS spacecraft fleet is capable of supporting users at altitudes only up to 12,000 km due to TDR spacecraft antenna gimbal limits. The new TDRS H,I,J spacecraft SA antenna will have an outward gimbal limit of 77.5 degrees in the east-west direction which will increase the field of view up to geosynchronous orbit. Additional enhancements to the TDRSS network include the construction of a new TDRSS ground terminal at Guam. This terminal will be operational in the 4th quarter of 1998. By deploying a TDRS H,I,J above the Indian Ocean (e.g., 275 deg. W), global coverage for KaSA and SSA services will be available to science spacecraft in the 21st century. Table 1 - TDRS Spacecraft Capabilities Comparison WSC & TDRS H,I,J Capabilities Forward 300 kbps; EIRP = 48.5 dBW S-Band Return 6 Mbps; G/T = 8.5 dB/K 25 Mbps(5); EIRP = 49 dBW Single Ku-Band Forward Return 300 Mbps; G/T = 26.5 dB/K Access 25 Mbps(5); EIRP = 63 dBW Ka-Band Forward Return 300 Mbps/800 Mbps(1); G/T = 26.5 dB/K 2 SSA/TDRS; 12 SSA/WSC 2 SSA/TDRS; 12 SSA/WSC 2 KuSA/TDRS; 12 KuSA/WSC 2 KuSA/TDRS; 12 KuSA/WSC Number of Links 2 KaSA/TDRS; 8 KaSA/WSC(2) Forward 1/TDRS @ 10kbps; 4/WSC 2/TDRS(3) @ 300 kbps; 4/WSC Multiple Access Return 5/TDRS @ 100 kbps; 20/WSC 6/TDRS(1) @ 3 Mbps; 20/WSC Range, 1&2 way Doppler Range, 1&2 way Doppler User Tracking (No Ka-band Tracking) NOTES: (1) Spacecraft only; (2) Ku- or Ka-band; (3) 1/TDRS at WSC; (4) For user data configurations, see 530-SNUG, Space Network Users Guide; (5) WSC current configuration supports 7 Mbps. Service WSC & TDRS A-G (4) Capabilities 300 kbps; EIRP = 48.5 dBW 6 Mbps; G/T = 8.5 dB/K 25 Mbps(5); EIRP = 48.5 dBW 300 Mbps; G/T = 26.5 dB/K N/A N/A

Paper ID: 5a004 1.2 NASA X-BAND OPERATIONS In addition to its Space Network, NASA also operates S-band and X-band ground based tracking stations located throughout the world. These stations provide launch and on-orbit tracking and data acquisition support for NASA approved missions including launch and landing support for the Space Shuttle. Two new multi-mission ground stations have recently been implemented by NASA to support the Earth Observing System (EOS) polar orbiting spacecraft missions and other NASA approved missions. The Earth Observation System (EOS) Polar Ground Station (EPGS) Project was engineered and constructed by NASA/GSFC in concert with the Norwegian Space Center. The project currently consists of two high latitude stations, one at Poker Flats, Alaska, the other at Svalbard, Norway.

1 of 2 Single Access (SA) Antennas 1 of 2 Single Access (SA) Antennas

t S & Ku-Band forF1-F7 Ku-Band for F1-F7 o t S, Ku, & Ka-Band for TDRS H,I,J o Ku, & Ka-Band for TDRS H,I,J Field of Vi w (Primary): + 22.5 Deg. E-W e Field of View (Primary): + 22.5 Deg. E-W + 31.0 Deg. N-S + 31.0 Deg. N-S t Extended Field of View + 77.5 Deg. (outward E-W) Field of View + 77.5 Deg. (outward E-W) o --22.5 Deg. (inward E-W) 22.5 Deg. (inward E-W) + 31.0 Deg. N-S + 31.0 Deg. N-S

S-Band Phased Array S-Band Phased Array forfor Multiple-Access (MA) service Multiple-Access (MA) service

t 1 Fwd, 55 Rtn Links for F1-F7 o 1 Fwd, Rtn Links forF1-F7 t 2 Fwd, 66 Rtn Links for TDRS H,I,J o 2 Fwd, Rtn Links forTDRS H,I,J Field of View (Primary): Field of View (Primary): + 10.5 Deg. Conical + 10.5 Deg. Conical

Forward Space-Space Link: Forward Space-Space Link:

S-Band: 2025-2120 MHz S-Band: 2025-2120 MHz Ku-Band: 13.775 GHz Ku-Band: 13.775 GHz Ka-band: 22.55 23.55 GHz Ka-band: 22.55 23.55 GHz

TDRS Constellation TDRS Constellation

t 275 W, 174 W, o W, 174 W, 171 W, 46 W, 171 W, 46 W, 41 W W

Space-Ground Link Space-Ground Link

t Fwd: 14.6-15.225 GHz o Fwd: 14.6-15.225 GHz t Rtn: 13.4-14.05 GHz o Rtn: 13.4-14.05 GHz

Return Space-Space Link Return Space-Space Link

S-Band: 2200-2300 MHz S-Band: 2200-2300 MHz KuBand: 15.0034 GHz Ku-Band: 15.0034 GHz KaBand: 25.2534 to 27.4784 GHz (225 MHz Channel), Ka-Band: 25.2534 to 27.4784 GHz (225 MHz Channel), 25.545 to 27.185 GHz (650 MHz Channel) 25.545 to 27.185 GHz (650 MHz Channel) in 25 MHz steps in 25 MHz steps

t Primary site atat o Primary site

White Sands, NM White Sands, NM --STGT STGT --WSGTU WSGTU under construction for under construction for Indian Ocean coverage Indian Ocean coverage

t AdditionalGuam site o Additional Guam site

TDRSS TDRSS Ground Ground Station Station

NASA and NASA and Customer Customer Ground Ground Operations Operations
07/01/9 TR97086\RC 7 2723 07/01/97 TR97086\RC2723

Figure 1 - TDRS H,I,J Spacecraft with TDRSS Network Elements The systems are designed to provide TT&C (S-band) and high rate science data capture (X-band) primarily for the EOS AM-1, LANDSAT-7, and QuikSCAT missions. These stations will eventually be augmented with more capability to serve as a multi-mission resource for the growing fleet of NASAs polar orbiting science spacecraft. The stations are now undergoing engineering tests and will be operational by mid-1998. Each of these stations will provide receive capability for X-band science data at rates up to 150 Mbps, receive capability for S-band telemetry from 1 kbps to 524 kbps, and command capability for S-band at 2 kbps. The station will be remotely operated using the Monitor and Control Subsystem, which provides the mechanism for gathering status parameters from the remote site RF and baseband data equipment. It also issues equipment set-up commands to establish various system support configurations based on a locally stored schedule of support requirements.

Paper ID: 5a004 2.0 TDRS H,I,J DESIGN SUMMARY Table 2 highlights the key TDRS H,I,J spacecraft design features. TDRS H,I,J will provide single access and multiple access service to LEO user spacecraft at S-band, Ku-band and Ka-band. The new spacecraft include two 15-ft. mechanically steerable single access spring-back antennas with S, Ku, Ka-band feeds. These antennas can simultaneously support S/Ku-band or S/Ka-band service. A separate transmit and receive S-band multiple access phase array patch antenna provides increased EIRP and G/T performance. TDRS H,I,J will use the existing Ku-band frequency plan for the space-to-ground link (SGL). SSA and KuSA Backward Compatibility: The new spacecraft design will ensure all existing Sband single access(SSA) and Ku-band single access (KuSA) service requirements are met. This will allow TDRSS to maintain services continuity for existing users such as Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and Shuttle. TT&C Link: The S-band TT&C link is supported with forward and aft omni spacecraft antennas (4-pi steradian coverage). These antennas will support launch, transfer orbit and on-orbit emergency operations. The Ku-band TT&C link, via the SGL antenna, will support on orbit normal operations. In order to allow collocation of up to two TDRSS spacecraft, each T&C link will support two command and telemetry frequency pairs. Collocation will be possible between the existing TDRS fleet and TDRS H,I,J spacecraft, and between TDRS H,I,J spacecraft. Table 2 - TDRS H,I,J Spacecraft Summary Launch Readiness Date Mission Life Orbit Launch Vehicle Launch Site Spacecraft Characteristics: Dry Weight Wet Weight Dimensions Telecommunication Services Propulsion Attitude Control Power Thermal Ground System July 1999, January 2000, July 2000 12 years for payload, 15 years for consumables Geosynchronous (E-W, 0.1 deg., N-S, 7 deg.) ATLAS-IIA, augmented by internal propulsion on S/C Eastern Test Range ~ 3300 lb. ~ 7000 lb. 68.8 x 45.7 ft (27.7 ft. stowed length) Ka-, Ku-, and S-Band Liquid Bi-propellant 3-axis Sun/Earth reference Solar array and batteries Passive, augmented by electric heaters Controlled by ground stations at the WSC

New Ka-Band Single Access (KaSA) Link: TDRS H,I,J spacecraft will include space-to-space links (SSL) using Ka-band frequencies where NASA has primary allocation. The new KaSA service will offer frequency agility and LHCP/RHCP selectability to minimize interference. The new KaSA service will share the existing Ku-band SGL frequency spectrum and existing ground terminal KuSA communication equipment to provide user service. Ka-band TWT amplifiers with 15 watts of output power will be used on the TDRS spacecraft to achieve a forward link EIRP of 63 dBW. High electron mobility transistor(HEMT) LNAs with a noise figure of 2.8 dB will be used to achieve a return link G/T of 26.5 dBi/K (with TDRS autotrack and USAT axial ratio of 1.0 dB). The spacecraft design will include KaSA autotrack capability to enhance KaSA antenna pointing accuracy. The autotrack capability is similar to current TDRS F1-F7 long loop design used for KuSA service. Azimuth and elevation error signals amplitude modulate the KaSA return signal for transmission to the ground. The ground will recover the error signals and generates antenna pointing commands for transmission to the spacecraft on-board computer via command link. KaSA autotrack will use constant rate pull-in based on sign information of the error signals to accomplish antenna acquisition. Within KaSA antenna primary field-of-view (N-S +/- 31 deg., EW +/-22.5 deg.), the spacecraft will be able to achieve KaSA autotrack with G/T greater than 26.5 dB/K in less than 10 seconds. The spacecraft will also include one 650 MHz KaSA return channel capable of supporting data rates up to 800 Mbps. The current SGL downlink will be capable of 4

Paper ID: 5a004 accommodating this wideband channel. NASA will be able to accommodate customer data rates up to 800 Mb/s with SQPSK modulation by adding new ground receivers at the WSC. Note that there are limitations on maximum customer spacecraft velocity. The current KuSA service is capable of supporting free-flight spacecraft with maximum velocities up to 12 km/sec. TDRS H,I,J KuSA service will also support this spacecraft velocity, however, KaSA will only be capable of supporting spacecraft velocities up to 6.7 km/s. This limitation can be overcome by modifying ground receivers to allow greater Doppler frequencies on the return link. SMA Link: TDRS H,I,J S-band Multiple Access (SMA) design will use phased array antennas that include 15 patch elements for forward service and 36 patch elements for return service. The spacecraft will support two SMA forward link services with an EIRP of 34 dBW or one SMA forward link service with an EIRP of 44 dBW. The spacecraft will also support up to 6 return user link services with a G/T greater than 4.5 dB/K within the specified FOV. Because the TDRS H,I,J spacecraft uses on-board beamforming, the MAR service will use only 6 of the existing 30 F1-F7 SGL downlink frequencies to minimize the ground terminal impact. The maximum data rate for TDRS H,I,J MAR service will be 3Mb/s. These new features will make SMA performance close to SSA performance. The increased EIRP and G/T performance will offer both weight and power benefits to future TDRSS S-band customers. It also will reduce the single access antenna loading for SSA customers. Spacecraft Operations: TDRS H,I,J design will include the following on-board functions to support the TDRSS mission: 1) SA antenna control: The ground terminal will upload steering information to the spacecraft on-board computer (OBC) in terms of user spacecraft ephemeris (azimuth and elevation angle timeline). The on-board computer will generate SA gimbal commands based on upload steering information, body attitude error and autotrack errors (autotrack only). The OBC will issue gimbal commands to steer the SA antenna. 2) SMA phase array antenna control: The ground terminal will upload steering information to spacecraft on-board computer (OBC) in terms of azimuth and elevation angle timeline. The on-board computer will generate MA amplitude and phase commands based on upload steering information and body attitude error. The OBC will issue the amplitude and phase control command to the on-board beamforming network. 3) Antenna Control from Ground Terminal: The ground terminal will also be capable of pointing both SA and SMA antenna manually. 4) Momentum management: The spacecraft will perform roll/yaw momentum dumping by solar tacking with thruster backup Ground Terminal Modification: The ground terminal will include: new TT&C software and displays to accommodate TDRS H,I,J spacecraft; modification of ground hardware for new SMA on-board beamforming; ground hardware modifications to accommodate new T&C link command and telemetry frequencies. Figure 3 illustrates the ground modifications for new SMA services. 3.0 KA-BAND OPERATIONS CONCEPT 3.1 SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE Figure 2 illustrates an architecture for dual TDRSS/direct-to-ground Ka-band communications. This architecture provides users with the flexibility of using either TDRS H,I,J or a direct link to Ka-band ground stations for science data transfer. LEO spacecraft communications for commanding and housekeeping telemetry would utilize existing S-band capabilities. A key technology that enables this dual use concept is a spacecraft Ka-band phased array antenna. A single phased array antenna, properly placed on a LEO spacecraft, has the potential to support the dual use concept in addition to reducing spacecraft mass and volume, while eliminating torque disturbances associated with gimbaled antennas. The TDRS H,I,J Ka-band space-to-space links will operate in bands allocated on a co-primary basis to inter-satellite service. The return link from the user spacecraft to TDRS H,I,J will be tunable across the 25.25 to 27.5 GHz band with a channel bandwidth up to 650 MHz [1]. The TDRS space-to-ground links will continue to operate at Ku-band. An allocation exists from 25.5 to 27 GHz for space-to-ground links that overlaps with the TDRS H,I,J return space-to-space link 5

Paper ID: 5a004 allocation enabling the potential for the dual use concept. This space-to-earth allocation would allow users the flexibility of transferring science data in real-time at moderate data rates via TDRSS, or transferring data once per orbit at high data rates to a ground station.

TDRS H,I,J

S & Ka-Band

TDRSS Ka-band return service for science data S-band service cmd ( 2 kbps) and tlm ( 32 kbps)

S-Band

Ku-Band SGL

Potential use of single Ka-band phased array antenna for both TDRSS and ground contacts S & Ka-Band

User LEO Spacecraft

Ka-band direct downlink for high rate science data (> 300 Mbps) S-band cmd ( 2 kbps) and tlm ( 512 kbps)

S-Band

TDRSS White Sands Complex

Cmd and Tlm

Mission Operations Center

Cmd and Tlm

S/Ka-Band Ground Terminal

Figure 2 - Architecture for Dual TDRSS/Direct-to-Ground Ka-Band Communications 3.2 ENABLING KA-BAND TECHNOLOGIES Key technologies to enable the dual TDRSS/direct-to-ground communications concept include Kaband phased arrays, solid state power amplifiers, and high data rate ground terminal receivers. Space qualified Ka-band technology developments in the commercial sector are being driven primarily by the future providers of mobile satellite services. These include systems such as Iridium, Odyssey, Teledesic, and Spaceway. Within NASA/GSFC, a number of Ka-band related technology development programs are ongoing and aimed at potential use by NASAs future science missions. These include a Ka-band spacecraft phased array antenna, digital high rate receivers for ground stations, and the TDRSS Fourth Generation User Transponder. A potential dual use design for the NASA developed phased array antenna would require an array of several hundred elements resulting in a gain of approximately 27 dB at a maximum scan angle of 60 degrees. A total array RF power of approximately 5 watts would allow the transfer of science data at a few Mbps via TDRS H,I,J or hundreds of Mbps directly to a ground station. This phased array, used in conjunction with a NASA developed S-band Fourth Generation TDRSS User Transponder, will result in significant reductions in size, weight, power consumption, and cost for LEO science missions compared to existing TDRSS transponders. The Fourth Generation Transponder design has an option for a Kuband exciter and scars for future Ka-band upgrades. 3.3 MINIMUM EIRP REQUIREMENTS AND ACHIEVABLE RETURN LINK DATA RATES The achievable return link data rate via TDRS H, I, J is determined by the received power at the TDRS antenna from the LEO spacecraft. TDRSS specifies received power requirements (Prec) for 6

Paper ID: 5a004 signal acquisition and the achievable data rate [2]. The required LEO spacecraft EIRP can be calculated from the TDRS Prec requirements by considering free space and other transmission losses. The achievable data rate for direct-to-ground transmission is determined by LEO spacecraft EIRP, ground antenna G/T and link losses. A center frequency of 26.375 GHz is assumed for both TDRSS and direct-to-ground data transfers. Figure 3 illustrates achievable data rates as a function of spacecraft EIRP TDRS H,I,J communications and direct-to-ground communications. Multiple curves are provided for the direct-to-ground case representing various ground antenna sizes. The 1.5 GHz bandwidth allocation for direct-to-ground services limits the bit rate for BPSK modulation with rate 1/2 coding to 500 Mb/sec. A for 10-5 bit error rate is assumed for all curves. 3.4 CONTACT AND THROUGHPUT ANALYSIS Eleven-day simulations were performed for a sun-synchronous LEO spacecraft with an orbit altitude of 705 km and an inclination of 98.2. Fifteen LEO spacecraft antenna orientations were studied as shown in Figure 4, and the four orientations showing the best performance (left side, left bottom edge, right bottom edge, and right side) are discussed in this paper in terms of daily contact time and daily throughput. Constellations of two and three TDRS spacecraft were considered. Ground stations at Wallops Island, VA; Fairbanks, AK; McMurdo Station, Antarctica; and Spitsbergen, Norway were postulated. For TDRS contacts, 3 earth horizon clearance was required in order to comply with ITU limits on power flux density at the earths surface. The maximum scan angle of the LEO spacecraft phased-array antenna was set at 60 to avoid generation of grating lobes. It should be noted that communications blockage due to spacecraft appendages was not considered in the simulations. The duration of TDRS contact opportunities were trimodally distributed. Each TDRS had one daily long opportunity and many short ones. About 75% of the long opportunities lasted 139 to 148 minutes, and the other 25% lasted a total of 223 minutes. For side mounted antennas, most short opportunities lasted between 42 and 71 minutes, and a few were shorter. For bottom edge antennas, most short opportunities lasted less than 10 minutes. Ground opportunities for side mounted antennas lasted 7 minutes on average and 10 minutes maximum. For bottom edge antennas, they averaged 7.5 minutes, with 12 minutes maximum. Side mounted antennas offered substantially fewer ground contact opportunities than bottom edge antennas. For transmissions via the TDRSS, side-facing antennas provide almost twice as much throughput as bottom left- or right-edge antennas. On the other hand, side-facing antennas perform less well for direct-to-ground transmissions than bottom-edge antennas. The best choice between left and right antenna locations depends on the particular orbit and ground terminal locations. The time periods of maximum latency for left and right locations differ by 12 hours. For a given LEO satellite EIRP, the data rate via TDRSS is one eighth of the rate to a 1-m ground antenna, but the contact windows via TDRSS last 10 to 30 times longer. Additional analyses would be required for specific spacecraft configurations to take into account communications blockage due to appendages, which typically would result in decreased throughput from the analysis shown here.

References 1. 405-TDRS-RP-SY-001, TDRS H,I,J Technical Requirements Specification. 2. 530-SNUG, Space Network (SN) Users Guide, Revision 7, November 1995.

Paper ID: 5a004

10000

1000

Maximum BPSK Data Rate due to 1.5 GHz Space-to-Earth Bandwidth Limitation

100

10

TDRS H,I,J (Rate 1/2, Autotrack Mode)

Minimum Power for TDRS H,I,J Antenna Autotrack Acquisition

0.1 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60

Spacecraft EIRP (dBWi, see note 4)

NOTES: 1. Direct-to-ground data rates calculated at maximum range and assumes 10E-5 BER, rate 1/2 coding, 7.7 dB rain loss, and 2 dB implementation loss. 2. Direct-to-ground and TDRS H,I,J data rate calculations include 2 dB scan loss, and 0.5 dB polarization loss. 3. Achievable data rates will be higher than indicated by curves for losses less than those specified in notes 1 and 2 above. 4. Spacecraft EIRP = maximum EIRP - scan loss - polarization loss

Figure 3 - Achievable Data Rates versus Spacecraft EIRP

Selected Antenna Locations for Coverage Analysis Surfaces 1. Top (T) 2. Front (F) 3. Left (L) 4. Right (R) 5. Bottom (B) Edges 6. Top-Right (TR) 7. Front-Top (FT) 8. Front-Left (FL) 9. Front-Right (FR) 10. Front-Bottom (FB) 11. Bottom-Left (BL) 12. Bottom-Right (BR) Corners 13. Top-Front-Right (TFR) 14. Bottom-Front-Left (BFL) 15. Bottom-Front-Right (BFR) 15 6 1 7

Zenith Direction

13

3 4 9 2 8

Pitch Axis

12 10

5 14

11

Roll Axis (Velocity Direction)

Yaw Axis (Nadir)

Figure 4 - LEO Spacecraft Phased Array Antenna Locations for Coverage Analysis