Tanner Campbell, University of Arizona; Vishnu Reddy, University of Arizona; Roberto Furfaro, University of Arizona; Scott Tucker, Starizona
Keywords: SSA, Space Situational Awareness, Optical Arrays, RSO Characterization, Photometry
Abstract:
Our goal is to characterize resident space objects (RSOs) in low-Earth (200-1,800 km) and medium-Earth (1,800-35,000 km) orbit using an optical array that collects simultaneous multi-color data. To this effect we have constructed a multi-aperture array on an alt-alt mount capable of tracking RSOs at various altitudes. The primary aperture is 200 mm with an F/1.9 focal ratio. The detector field of view is 2.4 x 1.8 degrees with a pixel scale of 1.8 arc-seconds/pixel. Each RSO has unique spectral characteristics primarily indicative of the material it is made of, however it is also dependent on object attitude, rotation rate, and solar phase angle. These parameters, coupled with the relatively fast motion of objects in LEO and MEO make spectral characterization quite challenging. As such, simultaneous multi-color photometry is the best way to characterize unresolved RSOs, offering multiple independent channels of data that can be used to identify their unique spectral signatures and estimate attitude/attitude rates. Complimentary to this effort we are creating an inventory of common man made materials found in space so that we may build a spectral database to compare against. With this database, we hope to identify diagnostic absorption bands of common space materials to help aid in our selection of appropriate filters for our optical array telescope and ultimately characterize the RSOs in question.
Date of Conference: September 17-20, 2019
Track: Non-Resolved Object Characterization