Surveillance of Space Concept Demonstrator. Presentation of One Sensor: CASTOR-V

Abstract

Defence R&D Canada (DRDC) is developing a Surveillance of Space Concept Demonstrator (CD) consisting in three geographically dispersed, ground-based, small optical sensors for satellite observation. These three sensors will be operated remotely via the Sensor System Operations Center (SSOC). Before the remote operation was undertake, CASTOR-V, the sensor located at Valcartier, has been characterise and tested in order to optimise its operation and to do the trouble shooting of this particular sensor. The present report first describes the sensor hardware and software, it then presents some results of the sensor characterisation such as the dome and mount slew time, the CCD dark current and other important features. Two significant findings following the testing results are first that any displacement on one side of the meridian necessitates less than one minute and second, the CCD must be cooled down to about -30 deg C to minimise the important top to bottom dark count gradient. Finally, for the benefit of future users and system designers, particularities and issues that occurred with CASTOR-V, related to hardware, software or operation, are described along with their respective solutions or recommendations. CASTOR-V is now ready for remote operation through the SSOC.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA605294

Entities

People

  • Anne-pier Bernier
  • Martin Levesque
  • Sylvie Buteau

Organizations

  • DRDC Valcartier

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Apogees
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Cameras
  • Computers
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Earth Orbits
  • Geosynchronous Orbits
  • Geosynchronous Satellites
  • National Security
  • Operating Systems
  • Optical Detectors
  • Payload
  • Space Debris
  • Space Objects
  • Space Surveillance
  • Warning Systems

Readers

  • Geochemistry
  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites
  • Space - Space Objects