ADVANTAGES OF A 4-AXIS TRACKING MOUNT FOR THE PHOTOELECTRIC PHOTOMETRY OF SPACE VEHICLES

Abstract

Arguments are presented for the necessity of using a four-axis telescope (Quad-R-Axial) mount for the photoelectric photometry of satellites if small field apertures and hence low sky background signals are to be achieved. Since the signal to noise ratio of the target/background is proportional to the square of the diameter of accepted field, any reduction of guiding errors which will allow smaller field apertures will then allow the photometry of fainter satellites, providing telescopes of adequate aperture are used. The improved tracking will also reduce interruptions of the light curves resulting from loss of the vehicle from the sensing aperture. The improvements possible with a QRA mount over the 2-axis (alt-azimuth) and the 3-axis (Baker-Nunn) are shown and procedures for computation of mount settings established. Photoelectric data taken with an existing 3-axis system are given for several satellites.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1965
Accession Number
AD0631438

Entities

People

  • Kenneth E. Kissell

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Astronomy
  • Audio Tones
  • Brightness
  • Elevation
  • Latitude
  • Measurement
  • Observation
  • Observatories
  • Orientation (Direction)
  • Physics
  • Simultaneous Equations
  • Space Sciences
  • Spacecraft

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Inertial Navigation Systems.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Space Objects
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers