Towards the Detection of Faint Companions Around Geosats

Henrique Schmitt, Naval Research Laboratory; Ellyn Baines, Naval Research Laboratory; Tom Armstrong, Naval Research Laboratory; Sergio Restaino, Naval Research Laboratory

Keywords: geosats, optical interferometry, space situational awareness

Abstract:

We will present an update of the phase nulling technique being developed at the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer. By using optical interferometric observations of binary stars with a large brightness contrast, we are demonstrating that one can sucessfully detect faint companions around bright targets. This technique can be applied for the detection of faint companions around geosats. 

Date of Conference: September 11-14, 2018

Track: Poster

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