Deep Space Network Antenna Pointing Performance at 26 GHz K-band

This paper presents the pointing performance of the 34-m antennas in the NASA Deep Space Network at K-band (26 GHz). More recent scientific missions with greater need for science data return such as the James Webb Space Telescope and the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite have started using Kband to take advantage of its broader spectrum allocation and better link performance compared to S- or X-band. K-band is also being planned for future NASA lunar exploration missions. As the antenna beamwidth becomes narrower when operating at higher K-band frequency, conscan (conical scan) is used to improve antenna pointing. This paper characterizes the pointing performance of conscan, in terms of pointing errors and loss to the received signal power. It also assesses the impact of high winds on the antenna pointing accuracy. The information is important to mission operations planning to design a link with sufficient margin that would ensure a robust and optimal data return.