SATELLITE OPTICAL CHARACTERISTICS CATALOG (1965 THROUGH 1968)

Abstract

For the past ten years teams of the Western Satellite Research Network have undertaken an extensive program aimed at compiling and classifying satellite optical characteristics. In this the second optical characteristics catalog 7900 observations of the optical characteristics of 574 satellites are compiled, reduced and presented in tabular form. A detailed discussion of brightness data is included. This comprehensive summary of optical appearance data is a valuable aid for the identification of the nature or condition of satellites. For example, observations of spin rate increase have indicated leaks or ruptures in some orbiting vehicles' pressurized systems. Also, by noting such characteristics as flash pattern and magnitude variation, one may determine the general nature of a satellite's surface and orientation. Further reduction of these observations is intended in order to fully utilize existing data.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 20, 1968
Accession Number
AD0693616

Entities

People

  • G. A. Mccue
  • J. G. Williams
  • J. M. Morford

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • California
  • Contracts
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Corporations
  • Latitude
  • Longitude
  • Observation
  • Orientation (Direction)
  • Photonic Metamaterials
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Quantum Cascade Lasers
  • Slant Range
  • Specular Reflection
  • Tank Guns
  • Three Dimensional
  • Two Dimensional

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris