Analysison Interferometric Tracking Technology by ChinaDeep Space Network in the Chang’e-3 Mission

Abstract

Based on the first implementation of interferometric tracking technology in the Chang’e-3 projectby China DSN (DeepSpaceNetwork),this paper describes the differential interferometric tracking technique with the sparse quasar calibration.And the tracking data during Chang’e-3’s cruise to the moon is analyzed as well. Compared with high accuracy orbit ephemeris,time delay observation error is less than 1ns which corresponds to anangular accuracy of about 90nrad.And delay rate error is below 1ps/s.Interferometric tracking has played an important role in Chang’e-3 project.

Keywords

China DSN / interferometric tracking / DOR / ΔDOR