RIR-774 radar

Besides the slant-range data obtained from the TM station and the GPS positioning data from the rocket itself, the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) RIR-774C radar enables precise flight path determination independent of all other data sources. RIR-774C can be operated from a mobile container and works in the C-band frequency range. It is used for scientific and safety purposes. During a rocket’s ascent phase, the 10 and 100 hertz positioning data can be evaluated in real time to determine the expected landing location. If the rocket deviates from its course, such data may prove essential, as a signal for self-destruction may be sent to the rocket in the event of an emergency. Likewise, highly complex software packages can be used to evaluate the 100 hertz tracking data following the rocket flight; these are necessary for processing and identifying altitude correlations in many scientific experiments.