J. Radtke, I. Buske, U. Voelker, F. Friederich

Optical observation of orbital objects using passive reflection of sun light is a well-known technique to characterize the space debris population in GEO. Robotic telescopes are scanning every night under automated operation the GEO zone to identify non-catalogued objects. The accuracy is determined by the GPS controlled exposure time. Active satellite laser ranging (SLR) methods, on the other hand, are used to measure distances to LEO and MEO satellites with accuracy down to a few millimeters. However, SLR system operators have access to accurate orbit predictions. This accuracy is much better than the "Two Line Elements" (TLE) orbit predictions which are open for public access. Both methods are combined in a concept proposed by DLR Institute of Technical Physics to detect and track space debris in LEO. As a part of this concept visibility analyses were performed for passive space debris monitoring during twilight conditions and photon budgets are estimated for active laser ranging. The investigations are done by taken into account an existing observation telescope. Furthermore, the results of ranging campaigns performed in cooperation with the SLR station in Graz confirmed our conceptual SLR requirements of a future fully functional space debris monitoring system. Different dependencies are reviewed especially the visibility of different object sizes in relation to their orbit altitude under passive and active illumination.

Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2012, Berlin

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt - Lilienthal-Oberth e.V., Bonn, 2013

Conference Paper

englisch

21,0 x 29,7 cm, 7 Seiten

urn:nbn:de:101:1-201301213192

optical monitoring, space debris

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18.01.2013