RF Link Margin Analysis for a Typical Space Launch from CCSFS

Before a space launch is approved by the US government, the launch contractor must demonstrate that all flight rules and safety constraints are fully satisfied. One important aspect is that the vehicle and payload provide high quality RF communications during the booster portion of flight. To this end conservative analyses are performed that demonstrate that high signal-to-noise ratios (SIN) are available under 3-sigma worst-case conditions for air-to-ground communications. Specifically, this paper presents typical SIN results for a generic launch vehicle and multiple ground stations along a launch trajectory from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS). Results are presented for the RF Link Margin Analysis, using the FreeFlyer software, which shows that positive link margin is maintained for mandatory coverage periods. The ground stations within closer range to the Launch Vehicle are shown to have greater than 20 dB of link margin. This paper will serve as an initial analysis that will lead to future research towards a Doctoral dissertation focused on RF Communications and Signal Propagation.