<h2>AAS 95-326</h2><h2>Relay Satellite Orbit Selection Considerations for Future Robotics Missions to Explore Venus</h2><h4>R.  Hastrup, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, R. McOmber and K. Nelson, Stanford Telecommunications, Inc. Reston, VA</h4><h2> Abstract </h2>The paper discusses orbit design trades relevant to use of a Venus orbiting relay satellite supporting a variety of potential Venus robotic mission types.  The emphasis is on the impact of mission telecommunications requirements on selection of a relay satellite orbit and those characteristics of the relay satellite orbit that can benefit or hinder mission performance for the variety of potential Venus robotic mission now under consideration.  The results to be reported in this paper are based on studies performed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Stanford Telecommunications, Inc. under the sponsorship of NASA's Office of Space Communications.<br><br>