Michael Abercrombie, The Boeing Company; Brandoch Calef, The Boeing Company; Shadi Naderi, Air Force Research Laboratory
Keywords: non-resolved, complex rotation state, tumble, photometry, light curve
Abstract:
Characterization of non-resolvable Earth-orbiting space objects represents an essential capability in the domain of Space Situational Awareness (SSA). Techniques that exploit photometric light curves of reflected sunlight can be used to passively provide a wide range of useful information about this ever-growing population, including the rotation state of the object, which can be helpful for assessing the intent of a non-cooperative target, improving long-term orbit projections, on-orbit debris mitigation efforts, or planning satellite servicing missions. Part of this effort includes the ability to objectively discriminate between a stable, single axis spin state and complex rotation about multiple axes in cases where periodic behavior is detected.
Light curve models of multiaxis rotation are presented for several GOES 8 observations made from meter-class telescopes at the Maui Space Surveillance Center located on the summit of Haleakala. GOES 8 is a retired communications satellite near geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) whose rapidly evolving complex rotation state has been well established, making it an excellent candidate for studies of multiaxis rotation. The light curves provide clear evidence of complex rotation, and estimates of the spin and precession periods best describing these observations are provided.
Date of Conference: September 14-17, 2021
Track: Non-Resolved Object Characterization