Joseph Scott Stuart (MIT Lincoln Laboratory), Andrew J. Wiseman (MIT Lincoln Laboratory), Jayant Sharma (MIT Lincoln Laboratory)
Keywords: SSA, SSA Architecture
Abstract:
The Space-Based Visible (SBV) sensor was launched to orbit on 24 April 1996 as part of the Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) satellite. As the only optical space surveillance sensor in space, it has provided a unique space surveillance capability and has paved the way for future systems such as SBSS. After more than 12 years of operations, SBV and the MSX satellite are being permanently shut down by June 2008. This provides a unique opportunity to perform several experiments that were deemed too risky during SBV’s operational lifetime. These experiments will be conducted through May 2008. Depending on spacecraft performance we plan to conduct several tests of advanced space situational awareness data collection modes including reduced target motion data collection for geosynchronous targets, high phase angle observations of geosynchronous targets, and discrimination of closely-spaced geosynchronous targets.
We also plan several experiments for sensor characterization that will yield insight into how the instrument has been affected by 12 years in low altitude orbit. These include observing well calibrated star fields to assess CCD sensitivity and charge transfer efficiency degradation, and Earth and moon limb observations to assess stray light rejection and optical cleanliness. We will also attempt to close the telescope cover, a procedure that has not been performed since 1998 due to fears that the cover may not reopen. If the cover successfully closes, we will acquire dark current and flat field data to compare with historical values for this sensor and we will acquire data during transit through the South Atlantic Anomaly to characterize the interaction between the focal plane and high-energy particles. Finally, we will attempt to warm the focal plane to determine whether annealing will improve the charge transfer efficiency that has significantly degraded since launch due to damage from high-energy protons.
Date of Conference: September 16-19, 2008
Track: SSA & SSA Architecture