Thomas Schildknecht (Astronomical Institute, University of Berlin), R. Musci (Astronomical Institute, University of Berlin), T. Flohrer (Astronomical Institute, University of Bern)
Keywords: Orbital Debris
Abstract:
A significant population of faint debris with high area-to-mass ratios (AMR) in the range of 1 to 50 m2/kg exists in GEO. The team of the authors discovered the population several years ago using the ESA 1-m Space Debris Telescope in Tenerife. Individual groups, partly in the context of internationally coordinated projects, have undertaken significant observational effort to investigate the properties of this new class of debris objects during the past two years. The current consensus is that these objects may be fragments of multi-layer insulation blankets. The orbital elements of these high AMR objects heavily vary mainly due to solar radiation pressure. In particular the eccentricity and the inclination change significantly on time scales of a few days. It became moreover evident, that even the effective AMR of some individual objects is changing considerably. The study of the characteristics of high AMR objects is supported by immediate follow-up observations shortly after the discovery, as well as by regular re-observation (tracking). Both are mandatory tasks, which involve some technical and practical challenges. This paper describes challenges related to discovering and to following-up high AMR objects using several observing sites and coordinated telescopes. We will in particular address the near real-time orbit determination and scheduling of follow-up observations and the hand-over of objects between the ESA 1-m telescope in Tenerife and the 1-m ZIMLAT telescope of the Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern (AIUB) in Zimmerwald, Switzerland. The discussion will also include the data exchange with international co-operating partners like the Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics (KIAM) in Moscow and NASA. The continuous monitoring of high AMR objects allows further studies using technologies and approaches that imply the availability of accurate and up-to-date sets of orbital elements. As an example of recent studies, the investigation of optical properties by acquiring color photometry and light curves is presented. The paper concludes by summarizing additional recent results from the ESA and the AIUB telescopes.
Date of Conference: September 12-15, 2007
Track: Orbital Debris