Sergei Nikolaev (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), Don Phillion (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), Lance Simms (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), Alex Pertica (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), Scot S. Olivier (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), Rita Cognion (Oceanit)
Keywords: SSA
Abstract:
Galaxy 15, a geostationary telecommunications satellite, ceased responding to ground operators commands on April 5, 2010. The satellite went into eastward longitudinal drift interfering with operation of other geostationary satellites. Before and after the control of Galaxy 15 was re-established on December 27, 2010, some optical observations of the satellite were conducted using a small-aperture telescope, at sidereal tracking rate, to derive more accurate orbital parameters for Galaxy 15. Here we present the optical imagery for Galaxy 15 satellite and analyze the data. Applying state-of-the-art streak extraction algorithm, and using batch/sequential least squares orbital fitting, we quantify the orbital improvement derived from these data. In addition, we study photometric signatures of Galaxy 15 in both attitude-controlled and uncontrolled regimes, comparing the light curves. This case study demonstrates the usefulness of optical observations by small aperture telescopes for improving the orbits of GEO satellites.
Date of Conference: September 13-16, 2011
Track: Poster