The engineering required to adapt Mariner V for radio exploration of Venus is described. This work provides a good example of the unexpected, subtle interactions that arise when a specific space flight mission is being developed. The basic theory and design of spacecraft propagation experiments are reviewed. Results obtained from these experiments with the Pioneers and Mariners have been the source of additional knowledge on the environments of the sun, Mars, and Venus. These results show that new ways of improved precision have been found for using radio propagation in the exploration of the solar system.
NomenclatureA, B = constants c = phase velocity in vacuum (speed of light) / = radiofrequency g -local acceleration due to gravity H = scale height M -mean molecular weight N = refractivity n = electron density p = pressure Q = a function of the abundance of constituents R* = universal gas constant r = distance between spacecraft and terrestrial station T = absolute temperature t = time V p = phase velocity in gas p = density <£ = total phase difference ( f >N = phase difference due to nonvacuum phase velocity
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