Darin Koblick, Raytheon intelligence and space; Steven Wilkinson, Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems
Keywords: Quantum Radar Performance Assessement
Abstract:
We present a cislunar metric tracking performance analysis using the range and angle measurements offered by a quantum entangled-photon radar, otherwise known as a Spooky Radar’, from Lissajous orbits around L1, L4 and L5 Earth-Moon Lagrange points. There are five known Earth-Moon Lagrange points where a satellite/observer can maintain a relative periodic trajectory – often described as a Lissajous orbit. A Space Based Spooky Radar located at one of these orbital positions would be particularly effective since they are stable and have a combined field of regard which is never simultaneously eclipsed by either Earth-Moon body, and maintain an unobstructed line-of-site with the other Lagrange points. Space Based Spooky Radars, coupled with traditional ground based optical and Radar measurements, are simulated in tandem to estimate the orbit of a representative satellite in Geosynchronous Earth Orbit. A tracking scenario was developed to quantify the relative performance improvement of state estimates over a traditional ground-based sensor architecture mix. Results were computed using an Unscented Kalman Filter and underlying high-fidelity force models. An introduction of slight solar radiation pressure drag and gravity gradient mismatching between the internal filter state dynamics and the orbital propagator for a more accurate solution. Our analysis shows an order of magnitude improvement in both position and velocity state estimates over conventional optical and radar systems.
Date of Conference: September 15-18, 2020
Track: Cislunar SSA