Discrimination of Closely-Spaced Geosynchronous Satellites - Phase Curve Analysis & New Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Efforts

Abstract

Geosynchronous objects appear as unresolved blurs even when observed with the largest ground-based telescopes. Due to the lack of any spatial detail, two or more objects appearing at similar brightness levels within the spectral bandpass they are observed are difficult to distinguish. Observing a changing pattern of such objects from one time epoch to another showcases the deficiencies in associating individual objects before and after the configuration change. This paper explores solutions to this deficiency in the form of spectral (under Small Business Innovative research) and phase curve analyses. The extension of the technique to phase curves proves to be a powerful new capability.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA531726

Entities

People

  • Paul Levan

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Brightness
  • Commerce
  • Curvature
  • Data Acquisition
  • Geosynchronous Satellites
  • Ground Based
  • Observation
  • Small Business
  • Space Objects
  • Space Surveillance
  • Spacecraft
  • Time Intervals

Readers

  • Astronomy/Astrophysics
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Vision Science/Vision Psychology/Cognitive Neuroscience.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Space Objects