The techniques and accuracies of in-orbit measurements on satellites

A simple block diagram is presented for an in-orbit test facility together with a description of the four fundamental in-orbit measurements that can be made by a ground-based facility. The incorporation of the four basic measurements into the measurement sequence is discussed for the desired satellite parameter. Achievable accuracies are presented for the four basic measurements and their accuracies are extended into the calculation of the accuracy for effective isotropic radiated power and flux density. Accuracies of the in-orbit monitoring of traffic-carrying satellites are discussed. Tabulations are given for prelaunch accuracies as well as for the largest differences that can be allowed between prelaunch and in-orbit measured data for a satellite to be considered unchanged by the launch into geostationary orbit