NAVSPASUR Sensor Performance Study
Abstract
The Naval Space Surveillance Command (NAVSPASUR) has been in existence since the late 1950's. Operating with a formidable array of three large transmitters and six receiving stations, the command has carried out the mission of surveilling and cataloging all space objects in near earth orbit. To data over 21,000 artificial satellites have been tracked and catalogued by the command. In order to document how effectively the fence has been accomplishing this mission, this thesis has been undertaken to provide NAVSPASUR with a statistics based measure of demonstrated system detection performance. It is the purpose of the thesis to provide NAVSPASUR with a scientific study and evaluation of system performance and capabilities as demonstrated in recent operational periods. Following a dicussion and review of NAVSPASUR operating parameters, a statistical analysis of system performance will be presented. This analysis will consist of data regressions performed by the GRAFSTAT and SAS programs imbedded in the Naval Postgraduate School mainframe computer. The final result of this effort will be to provide NAVSPASUR with an independently derived, statistically based means to predict future probabilities of success in detecting satellites of known radar cross section in operational orbits.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA246592
Entities
People
- Stephen F. Schaaf
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School