ADS-B system for tracking of launch vehicles

Kurzfassung

Situational awareness and tracking are key elements in the frame of the management of launch operations. Radar solutions require significant ground infrastructure to be deployed in the launch area. A feasibility study was carried out for future investigation of Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) transponders for the purpose of tracking suborbital launch vehicles. ADS-B transceivers have been investigated as part of launch vehicles payload, where the signal is acquired using the existing ADS-B ground and space infrastructure. The concept is discussed with proposals for the application in future sub-orbital and orbital missions.