Advanced Reconnaissance of Geosynchronous equatorial and low-earth Orbiting Satellites (ARGOS)
Abstract
The number of objects in the near-Earth space environment is snowballing with time. The majority of these objects are space Òdebris.Ó However, there are a large number of objects that are high-value assets. Assets upon which society is becoming ever more dependent. In addition to commercial platforms for communications and remote sensing, there are also many defense-related platforms. Monitoring the location and health of these critical assets is essential. Consequently, Space Domain Awareness (SDA) is a rapidly expanding area of research. The Advanced Reconnaissance of Geosynchronous equatorial and low-earth Orbiting Satellites (ARGOS) system will enable Georgia State University faculty and students to participate in SDA-related research. ARGOS consists of a 0.7m telescope, a high-speed mount, and a state-of-the-art imaging system equipped with adaptive optics to help mitigate image blur caused by the EarthÕs turbulent atmosphere. The system will be housed at Georgia State UniversityÕs (GSU) Hard Labor Creek Observatory (HLCO) in Rutledge, GA, just south of Atlanta. Here it will provide a platform for Òon-skyÓ validation of novel methods for high-resolution, ground-based imaging of objects in the near-Earth environment. Besides promoting research into SDA-related topics, the ARGOS system will also serve as a valuable educational tool that will be used by students at GSU, both graduate and undergraduate, and by high-school students in the greater metro-Atlanta region. It will also be available for demonstrations to the general public at the HLCO open nights. As such, ARGOS will not only contribute to cultivating the next generation of scientists with expertise aligned with Department of Defense research interests; it will also inspire highschool students to pursue degrees in STEM fields.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 25, 2021
- Source ID
- W911NF2110259
Entities
People
- Stuart Jefferies
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Georgia State University
- Office of the Secretary of Defense