RadioAstron Tracking

14/04/2017, gt15

Observer: Arwin Kahlon

Yarragadee 12m:

Disk VSN: GSFC+022

Data volume at beginning: 0 GB

Data volume at the end: 28.83 GB

Setup issues

• 06:00 UT Yg field system wasn't starting properly, rebooted the pcfyg computer which seems to have resolved the problem.
• 06:15 UT Error messages saying dbbc not running, reconfigured the dbbc followed by a fmset.

Observing run

• 07:00 UT - 07:15 UT : X= cross, S=direct (20v): No signal was observed and I noticed that the az/el weren't changing at all (I expected them to change as we are tracking a fast moving nearby object). I stopped the tracking reloaded the pointings and finally a signal was observed at 07:15 UT.

• 07:15 UT - 07:30 UT: X= cross, S=direct (20v): The antenna seems to be tracking the spacecraft well now.

• 07:30:35 UT - 08:00 UT : X=cross, S=cross (variable volt. 14v -checked with Yg staff): As evident in the figure below the signal strength was slightly less compared to the s=direct mode.