Robert (Lauchie) Scott (Defence Research and Development Canada), Brad Wallace Robert (Lauchie) Scott, Brad Wallace (Defence Research and Development Canada)
Keywords: Non-Resolved Object Characterization
Abstract:
Small aperture telescopes used to obtain metric information can also provide a wealth of photometric detail on Deep Space satellites. Photometry of stabilized geostationary satellites as a function of phase angle can be used to classify objects based on bus type, and can be useful in identifying objects that have been cross-tagged in the satellite catalog. Photometric measurements sampled at rates faster than the spin rates of tumbling or spinning objects can provide additional detail about the objects. We present two cases of measurement on Canadian geostationary satellites. One case is to differentiate operational Canadian satellites from their cluster peers. The other is to identify the photometric signature of the decommissioned spacecraft.
Date of Conference: September 16-19, 2008
Track: Non-Resolved Object Characterization