METT OPERATION Transportation The sub-satellite is transported by the Space Shuttle and injected at a point which is 2 km apart from the bus platform on the same orbit. Operation of the Orbital Test Program Step 1: The four 20 m booms with the dipole antenna array are extended. Step 2: The attitude of the sub-satellite is controlled to point to the bus platform. There is a test of the pilot signal transmission between the sub-satellite and the bus platform to examine the pilot signal transmitter and the receiver onboard the bus platform. The collision protection radar measures the distance to the sub-satellite. Step 3: A first test of the energy transmission with 1 kW microwave starts in order to check the hardware and the software of the transmission system. The pattern and efficiency of the transmitter onboard the bus platform are measured in the re- trodirective mode and/or the computer control mode. Step 4: The same test as Step 3 is carried out in the full radiation power. Operation for the Environmental Study Program Step I: The sub-satellite is transported to 1 km from the bus platform by the teleoperator. Step 2: The sub-satellite prepares the following items: 1) The deployment of the balloon, 2) Extension of the diagnostic wire and setting of the DU on a proper location along the wire, 3) Deployment of the antenna and booms from the DU, 4) Injection of the neutral gas, and 5) Plasma production. Step 3: The microwave beam is transmitted in the retrodirective mode and/or the computer control mode from the bus platform to the balloon. The DU measures the effects of the high power microwave in the plasma. Experimental parameters: 1. Pressure of the neutral gas. 2. Species of the neutral gas. 3. Electron density. Operation for the Ground Test Program The Ground Test Program (shown in Fig. 4) provides data on controllability of the phase control of the transmitter antenna array and on the efficiency over the integrated transmission system through the ionosphere and the atmosphere. The critical problem in this program is the effect of the ionospheric scintillations on the microwave beam and pilot signal, and scattering and absorption by hydrometeors in the atmosphere. The program must be carried out at night because the scintillation
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