Multiple-Baseline Detection of a Geostationary Satellite with the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer

Abstract

We describe multi-baseline observations of a geostationary satellite using the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer (NPOI) during the glint season of March 2015. We succeeded in detecting DirecTV-7S with an interferometer baseline length of 8.8 m on two nights, with a brief simultaneous detection at 9.8 m baseline length on the second night. These baseline lengths correspond to a resolution of ~4 m at geostationary altitude. This is the first multiple-baseline interferometric detection of a satellite.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2015
Accession Number
ADA621928

Entities

People

  • Donald J. Hutter
  • Ellyn K. Barnes
  • Henrique R. Schmitt
  • James A. Benson
  • James H. Clark Iii
  • John Thomas Armstrong
  • Robert T. Zavala
  • Sergio R. Restaino

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Atmospheric Motion
  • Detection
  • Frequency
  • Geosynchronous Satellites
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Interferometers
  • Measurement
  • Military Research
  • Observation
  • Observatories
  • Optical Interferometers
  • Power Spectra
  • Precision
  • Satellite Buses
  • Spacecraft

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.

Technology Areas

  • Space