Automatic Picture Transmission TV Camera System for Meteorological Satellites

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Publisher: SMPTE
Doc Type: Journal Article
Article Type: research-article
Abstract: Nimbus, the second generation meteorological satellite succeeding its successful forerunner, Tiros, is a stabilized platform designed to provide global coverage of earth's cloud cover and a space platform for future atmospheric research. A three-camera TV system operating during daylight and an infrared scanner during the night store the cloud data on magnetic tape for later command readout. This paper describes an additional camera system, designed for automatic continuous real-time picture transmission during daylight. Although it is planned for trial on a Tiros satellite in a time-restricted mode, its operation on Nimbus later will be continuous during daylight. The camera makes use of an electrostatic storage vidicon which is exposed for 40 msec, and read out during the succeeding 200 sec. The 800-line resolution and the 0.25-sec scanning time per line are compatible with standard 240-rpm facsimile equipment which can be used for ground display. Full compatibility is achieved by amplitude modulation of a 2,400-cps subcarrier and by transmitting a turn-on and phasing signal during 8 sec preceding the actual picture transmission. The subsystem is independent of the spacecraft except for power and a frequency reference. A 5-w transmitter broadcasts the signal in the 136-mc space telemetry band. FM is used, making a large variety of standard mobile communication equipment readily adaptable. The value of the system lies in its simplicity both in the spacecraft and on the ground. No command links are required, nor storage. On the ground, a manually tracked or even fixed 10-db helix antenna, with commercially available receiver and facsimile, is all the equipment that is required.
Publication Date: 1964-02-01
DOI: 10.5594/J06121
Link: https://doi.org/10.5594/J06121
Author(s): Rudolf A. Stampfl, William G. Stroud

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Rudolf A. Stampfl and William G. Stroud; Automatic Picture Transmission TV Camera System for Meteorological Satellites, Journal of the SMPTE ( Volume: 73, Issue: 2, February 1964); SMPTE, 1964. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/J06121

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Rudolf A. Stampfl and William G. Stroud; Automatic Picture Transmission TV Camera System for Meteorological Satellites, Journal of the SMPTE ( Volume: 73, Issue: 2, February 1964); SMPTE, 1964. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/J06121

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<span class="citation">Rudolf A. Stampfl and William G. Stroud; <cite>Automatic Picture Transmission TV Camera System for Meteorological Satellites</cite>, Journal of the SMPTE ( Volume: 73, Issue: 2, February 1964); SMPTE, 1964. Available at <a href="https://doi.org/10.5594/J06121" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://doi.org/10.5594/J06121</a></span>

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<li>
Rudolf A. Stampfl and William G. Stroud; <cite id="bib-10-5594-j06121">Automatic Picture Transmission TV Camera System for Meteorological Satellites</cite>, Journal of the SMPTE ( Volume: 73, Issue: 2, February 1964); SMPTE, 1964
<span class="doi">10.5594/J06121</span>
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