Abstract (max 2000 caratteri)
A system for orbital object monitoring is proposed based on Digital single-lens reflex camera. The need to improve observation capabilities in monitoring and cataloguing such kinds of objects is constantly growing, due to the constant increase of operative satellites and space debris in both geostationary Earth orbit (GEO).
The presented system is characterized by a large field of view to survey the GEO belt without moving parts. Static observation will be performed by following the apparent motion of GEO satellites with long exposure while the stars will trail across the field of view. Using this technique, futons reflected from satellites will insist on the same pixels. This will allow the system to detect also fainter GEO object.
The reduction of the complexity is the main key of the presented system. No survey strategies are required due to the large field of view will scan the whole visible GEO belt without the need to switch the region of interest and change observing coordinates. The images will be analyzed in real-time for GEO debris detection. Follow-up observation will be performed using MITO observatory part of S5Lab observatory network that will be fully dedicated to specific observation of new GEO debris by removing the survey request schedules to it.
Orbital debris monitoring is crucial for space situation awareness issues. The impact of debris on active space satellite can cause serious damage, malfunctions and potential service interruptions. To ward off the risk of collisions, such as the one that in 2009 led to the destruction of the Iridium-33 satellite, it is crucial to identify the risk situations by accurately determining the debris orbits.
The aim of the presented project is to develop a Geostationary Earth Orbit detection system for cataloging. The idea is to collect large field of view images of the visible GEO belt from the selected observatory site with sidereal tracking off. No mount or moving part are required for the pointing system. Thus, the complexity of the whole system is reduced.
Nowadays, conjunction analysis in GEO are produced using network of optical telescopes, i.e. ISON network. These observatories are composed by a complex system of optical telescopes with different field of view size. Larger FOV (typically 6x6 deg) are for space debris identification while smaller FOV are for orbit determination and follow-up observations. The GEO beam-park analysis is performed using sidereal tracking on, so stars appears as dots while the orbiting object as streaks. To scan the whole visible GEO belt, priority assignment routines are mandatory. On the contrary, the whole system will be able to scan the whole GEO belt without performing any movement with long exposure. Due to the observing strategy, GEO target will appear as a dot so even fainter object will be visible due to the reflected photons will insist on the same pixel. Target of interests such as GEO debris will be discriminated from background stars and operative GEO satellites due to their dimension on the acquired images. Once the target of interest will be detected, the follow-up observation will be performed using the MITO observatory of S5Lab optical network, fully dedicated for space debris observations.
The main advantage of the presented system is the reduction of the complexity. The large field of view acquisition will be performed without moving parts: no alignment procedure no survey strategies are required. Specific observation will be performed using a smaller field of view observatory that will be fully dedicated to follow-up observation by removing the survey request schedules.