Navy Prototype Optical Interferometer Observations of Geosynchronous Satellites

Abstract

Direct imaging of geosynchronous satellites (geosats) would often be desirable in diagnosing problems with these satellites. For example, the geosat Galaxy 15 stopped responding to ground commands in April 2010. Imaging of this satellite might shed some light on the problem. Unfortunately, direct imaging of geosats is not possible with existing instruments. With 1 meter subtending 5 milliarcseconds (mas) at the altitude of a geosat, even the largest optical telescopes can barely resolve them.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2011
Accession Number
ADA543635

Entities

People

  • Christopher C. Wilcox
  • Donald J. Hutter
  • Frederick J. Vrba
  • Henrique R. Schmitt
  • James A. Benson
  • John Thomas Armstrong
  • Jonathan R. Andrews
  • Michael E. Divittorio
  • Robert B. Hindsley
  • Sergio R. Restaino

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Adaptive Optics
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Delay Lines
  • Detection
  • Geosynchronous Satellites
  • Interferometers
  • Models
  • Observation
  • Observatories
  • Optical Interferometers
  • Optics
  • Power Spectra
  • Satellite Buses
  • Solar Panels
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites