New Techniques for High-Resolution Optical Space Surveillance

Abstract

The problem of imaging through atmospheric turbulence has plagued astronomers for centuries. Only in the last 20 years has the lost resolution been restored through innovative hardware and algorithms. This report discusses the new optical imaging technologies of adaptive optics and speckle imaging in the space surveillance context. The techniques are compared and contracted, and new imaging methods are proposed which combine elements of both. New methods are suggested for optical data evaluation. Keywords: Optical space surveillance; Statistical optics; Atmospheric turbulence; Adaptive optics; Speckle imaging; Phase retrieval; Light propagation; Optical data evaluation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 02, 1988
Accession Number
ADA202785

Entities

People

  • Timothy P. Wallace

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Adaptive Optics
  • Adaptive Systems
  • Algorithms
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Atmospheric Motion
  • Closed Loop Systems
  • Detectors
  • Image Processing
  • Information Science
  • Interferometry
  • Light Sources
  • Optical Detectors
  • Optics
  • Power Spectra
  • Space Objects
  • Space Surveillance
  • Spearography

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Medical Imaging.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Space Objects