Oleksandr (Alex) Kozhukhov, National Space Facilities Control and Test Center of State Space Agency of Ukraine; Viktor Kudak, Uzhhorod National University, Laboratory of Space Research; Vasyl Perig, Uzhhorod National University, Laboratory of Space Research; Nikolay Koshkin, Research Institute Astronomical Observatory of Odesa I.I. Mechnikov National University; Leonid Shakun, Research Institute Astronomical Observatory of Odesa I.I.Mechnikov National University
Keywords: Optical sensors, Photometry, Modeling
Abstract:
Solving the problem of determining the characteristics of the RSO proper rotation by comparing photometric observations and simulation of light curves, we became convinced that such measurements require high accuracy of flux and time registration. The equipment used by observatories for photometry of the RSO often does not meet these requirements. We present the result of creating a new instrument based on existing solutions in conditions of a limited budget. The main goal was to create a sensor that would be able to track LEO satellites with a lower altitude limit of ~700 km, capture light-curve of RSO in two bands (B, V in our case), and cost less than 5k-7k euro in total, which is incredibly cheap for this segment of equipment. The solution was found with SkyWatcher AZ-EQ6 Pro mount and two Newtonian tubes with the same specifications (F=1000 mm, D=200 mm) equipped with two QHY-174M-GPS cameras. After a year of operation, we can present observed results and describe all positive and negative moments of using the equipment. Obtained observations were used for modeling RSO objects with well-known shapes in the environment for 3D modeling such as BLENDER and 3D MAX.
Date of Conference: September 16-19, 2025
Track: Satellite Characterization