An Optical Satellite Tracking System for Undergraduate Research

Abstract

A commercial off-the-shelf satellite tracking system is developed and utilized for determining satellite characteristics on a minimum budget. A summary of the system components, developments, capabilities, and future improvements is addressed within this paper. The system is divided into four main components: camera and lens, tracking mount tracking and data handling computer, and software. The system is highly mobile and has provided usable research data through the imaging of unresolved satellites as dim as 6th magnitude. Future plans for a permanent assembly with networked control and automated data collection is also described.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2012
Accession Number
ADA570268

Entities

People

  • Michael P. Jones
  • Neil Thomas
  • Samuel R. Harms
  • Scott R. Dahlke
  • Shane Bruski

Organizations

  • United States Air Force Academy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Brightness
  • Cameras
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Data Processing
  • Data Reduction
  • Determinants (Mathematics)
  • Elevation
  • Equations
  • Satellite Tracking Systems
  • Solar System
  • Spreadsheet Software
  • United States
  • United States Air Force Academy

Readers

  • Distributed Systems and Data Platform Development
  • Radar Systems Engineering.
  • Robotics and Automation.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites
  • Space - Space Objects