An update on NASA K/sub a/-band propagation measurements

Recent and current K/sub a/-band propagation efforts are centered around two space platforms of opportunity, namely, the European Space Agency´s (ESA´s) Olympus,and NASA´s ACTS´ satellites. The US Olympus measurements were carried out by the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) at Blacksburg, VA, from 1991 to 1993. The measurement phase of that experiment ended in early 1993, and the data-analysis phase was completed in December, 1993. The ACTS propagation campaign began its data-collection phase in December, 1993, at several North American sites; it will continue for two years, and may be extended to three or four years. The goal of the K/sub a/-band propagation studies at JPL is to enable the satellite-communications industry to combat propagation channel impairments in the K/sup a/-band. To define the objectives of the experimental campaigns, JPL relied on the views of the users in industry, academia, and government agencies.<>