Henrique Schmitt (Naval Research Laboratory), Sergio R. Restaino (NRL), David Mozurkewich (Seabrook Engineering), James E. Mason (Lockheed Martin Corporation), Kevin R. Bock (Lockheed Martin Corporation), Jeff A. Dank (Lockheed Martin Corporation), J. Thomas Armstrong (NRL), Ellyn K. Baines (NRL), Greg Feller (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
Keywords: Geostationary Satellites, Imaging, Space Situational Awareness, Image Quality
Abstract:
Imaging geostationary satellites from the ground is an important Space Situational Awareness diagnostic tool that will require the use of optical interferometry. We developed a series of imaging and data quality simulations that allow us to investigate issues related to the interferometric imaging of such targets. We will discuss the number of baselines and sampling density needed to achieve different resolutions. We will also discuss some issues that are specific to the problem of imaging geosats, such as the size of the target relative to the resolving power of a single telescope in the interferometer, the precision needed in order to determine and correct for different sources of delay (atmospheric turbulence, telescope and target motion), and retrieve phase information from multiple baselines. The results presented here will be important to guide the design of future optical interferometers dedicated to the imaging of geosats.
Date of Conference: September 9-12, 2014
Track: Poster