Robert (Lauchie) Scott (Defence R&D Canada Ottawa, Carleton University), Alex Ellery (Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Carleton University), Martin Levesque (Defence R&D Canada Valcartier)
Keywords: Non-Resolved Object Characterization
Abstract:
On Orbit Servicing (OOS) of geostationary (GEO) satellites represents a new robotic space mission paradigm which could extend the life of existing satellites and reduce the rate of space debris generation. This mission type poses unique challenges for traditional optical space surveillance sensors. As the satellites perform close proximity operations, a distant observer sees the two objects as a single point source on a CCD (Charged Couple Device) as the objects angular separations, as viewed from a distant observer, are much smaller than the point source size of a typical space surveillance instrument. This analysis explores the unforced relative motion flight of a servicer satellite about its client GEO satellite with separations of 100 meters or less. Tools developed to address the physical and optical reflectance characteristics of this kind of mission type along with example light curves for diffuse optical reflections from both satellites performing OOS are presented. These tools create synthetic light curve data to permit future testing of light curve inversion and signal separation as a means to infer the relative motion of a secondary object about a GEO satellite.
Date of Conference: September 13-16, 2011
Track: Non-Resolved Object Characterization