(DURIP) ADVANCED RECONNAISSANCE OF EARTH-ORBITING SATELLITES
Abstract
The Advanced Reconnaissance of Earth-orbiting Satellites (ARES) simulator is a testbed for the validation of novel methods for high-resolution, ground-based imaging of targets in the near-Earth environment. It is currently supporting research and research-related education into innovative methods for imaging through atmospheric turbulence- a critical research area for space domain awareness (SDA). An additional function of the ARES system is to facilitate the transitioning of our group’s research into operational assets for the Department of Defense (DoD). The proposed upgrade (ARES+) allows research in several imaging modalities that are currently not supported by the simulator, and which have direct practical outcomes important to SDA (and the DoD). For example, the imaging of faint objects in the large volume of space out to cislunar orbit. The upgrade consists of an additional turbulence-adaptive optics module, a sodium laser-guide-star (LGS) module, volume turbulence-multi-conjugate adaptive optics (AO) modules, and the use of kinematic mounts throughout the system. The latter allows us to quickly reconfigure the simulator between the different research modalities supported by the simulator and dramatically increases the versatility of the simulator. The additional turbulence-AO module allows us to research multi-beam combining technologies for the direct imaging of distant satellites (e.g., communications satellites in geostationary orbit). The module consists of two AO systems, two spatial light modulators, and custom off the shelf (COTS) lenses, mirrors, beam splitters, and optomechanical hardware. The sodium LGS module lets us simulate the interaction of a sodium laser with the sodium atoms in the Earth’s mesopause region. It allows us to both investigate novel methods for improving the return flux from a sodium LGS and evaluate advanced tomographic wavefront sensing techniques.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 07, 2023
- Source ID
- FA95502110155
Entities
People
- Stuart Jefferies
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Georgia State University
- United States Air Force