Ed Kruzins, UNSW Canberra Space; Lance Benner, JPL; Melrose Brown, UNSW Canberra Space; David Coward, University of Western Australia; Guifre Molera Calves, University of Tasmania; Phil Edwards, CSIRO; Jon Giorgini, JPL; Steve Guedon, UNSW; Shinji Horiuchi, CSIRO; Bruce Gendre, University of Western Australia; John Kennewell, Australian Space Academy; Andrew Lambert, Unsw Canberra Space; Joseph Lazio, JPL; Benjamin Linsten, University of Western Australia; John Moore, University of Western Australia; Dorota Mieczkowska, 8 Polish Space Agency; Edwin Peters, Unsw Canberra Space; Chris Phillips, CSIRO; Tom Riddell, UNSW; Jamie Stevens, CSIRO; Arie Verveer, University of Western Australia
Keywords: Near Earth Objects, Radar, Optical, Southern Hemisphere, Deep Space
Abstract:
Abstract
We describe further research by the southern hemisphere bistatic radar and optical program, to detect near-Earth asteroids and objects (NEO’s) of interest. Apollo and Aten class asteroids represent another form of deep space debris of a potentially hazardous nature.
The Southern Hemisphere Asteroid Radar Program (SHARP) located in Australia uses the facilities of the Deep Space Network located in Canberra (CDSCC), the CSIRO Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) 22m antennas at Narrabri and the 12m University of Tasmania antennas at Hobart (Tasmania) Australia. Optical telescopes located at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and University of Western Australia (UWA) show how small 0.3-0.5m apertures can be combined into an optical/RF NEO detection system located exclusively in the southern hemisphere.
We discuss progress on Stokes vector decomposition of NEO radio frequency echo polarisations to determine if the complex I,Q,U,V components can be set into algorithms to offer additional insights into NEO characteristics. These non-imaging techniques might also be applied to human made objects to support deep space domain awareness.
Date of Conference: September 17-20, 2024
Track: Satellite Characterization