Gavin Unterreiner, United States Air Force Academy; Michael Plummer, United States Air Force Academy; Francis Chun, United States Air Force Academy; David Strong, Strong EO Imaging, Inc.; Timothy Giblin, i2 Strategic Services LLC
https://doi.org/10.64861/GMWN8565
Keywords: Polarization, Geosynchronous Satellite Characterization, Small Telescopes
Abstract:
The United States Air Force Academy’s Center for Space Situational Awareness Research, located within the Department of Physics and Meteorology, has conducted research in satellite characterization utilizing four linear polarization filters. These filters enable the acquisition of three of the four Stokes parameters: S0, S1, and S2. By analyzing the polarization information derived from these parameters, we can obtain the Degree of Linear Polarization (DOLP) and Angle of Linear Polarization (AOLP). This comparative analysis of the linear polarization characteristics of different satellites facilitates the successful differentiation of nearly identical satellites. Furthermore, there is evidence suggesting a correlation between the resolution and orientation of communication satellite payloads and the intensity of polarization. This discovery significantly enhances our Space Situational Awareness by addressing the increasing congestion in space. Utilizing an increased temporal cadence of 84% to 600%, we can gain an insight into a satellite’s signal which improves our understanding of the space environment and distinguishing nearly-identical satellites.
Date of Conference: September 15-18, 2026
Track: Satellite Characterization