Space Surveillance, Asteroids and Comets, and Space Debris. Volume 1: Space Surveillance

Abstract

This Study was produced by the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board. It was requested by the Commander Air Force Space Command and approved by the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force. It covers three topics, each of sufficient depth to be study of its own: Space Surveillance, Asteroid and Comet Impact Warning for Earth, and Space Debris. Space Surveillance is the unifying theme. Space Surveillance is a secondary mission to that of Missile Warning and has long been neglected. Almost all sensors were deployed for missile warning and used for Space Surveillance on a non-interference basis. Attempts to improve data processing, though expensive, were upgraded to the mainframe environment, keeping most old algorithms in place. Fortunately, improving the accuracy and timeliness of the sensors and data processing is now relatively inexpensive because most techniques are commercially available. Ultimately, Space Surveillance should be conducted from spaceborne sensors. They are discussed and recommended here.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1997
Accession Number
ADA412693

Entities

People

  • A. F. Pensa
  • F. R. Naka
  • G. H. Canavan
  • O. P. Judd
  • R. A. Clinton

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Air Force
  • Apogees
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Computers
  • Data Processing
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Geosynchronous Orbits
  • Reconnaissance Satellites
  • Satellite Orbits
  • Space Debris
  • Space Objects
  • Space Surveillance
  • Spacecraft
  • Surveillance
  • Warning Systems

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

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