Originally Posted by
Blacksheep
there is absolutely no way that the scientists producing their range predictions, based on analysis of "handshake" responses that were never intended for range determination, could know the internal condition of the airborne components of the Satcom system
They don't really need to know the exact condition: they could use the "pings" on ground, when the satcom gear is in a known location, to calibrate from. Barring extreme drift during flight, this should be very accurate.