Visible Magnitude of Typical Satellites in Synchronous Orbits

Abstract

Expressions for the visibility, in terms of visible magnitude, of resident space objects are presented in this report. The variations of the visible magnitude with the geometry of the viewing situation, considering variables such as distance, surface type and reflectivity, viewing angles, and spacecraft orientation, are discussed. Calculations of the visible magnitude to be expected and some of the variations are then made for typical satellites in synchronous orbits. Finally, calculations of the maximum visible magnitudes for several satellites, with a collection of the available data and some photographs are presented in an appendix. This work is related to the Telescope Detection and Ranging (TDAR) Program.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 06, 1974
Accession Number
AD0785380

Entities

People

  • William E. Krag

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Antennas
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Communication Satellites
  • Corporations
  • Detection
  • Diffuse Reflection
  • Equatorial Orbits
  • Geometry
  • Geosynchronous Satellites
  • Longitude
  • Photographs
  • Radiation
  • Solar Cells
  • Solar Panels
  • Solar Radiation
  • Space Objects
  • Specular Reflection

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris
  • Space - Space Objects