Survey and Chase: A new method of observations for the Michigan Orbital Debris Survey Telescope (MODEST)
- Paper number
IAC-06-B6.1.02
- Author
Dr. Kira Abercromby, ESCG/Jacobs Sverdrup, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Patrick Seitzer, University of Michigan, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Ed Barker, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Johnson Space Center, United States
- Coauthor
Ms. Heather Rodriguez, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Johnson Space Center, United States
- Year
2006
- Abstract
When in normal-operation mode the Michigan Orbital Debris Survey Telescope (MODEST) is used to survey the geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) environment to obtain a statistical assessment of the debris population. Due to the short time that the object is in the field of view (usually five minutes), it is common practice to assume a circular orbit when calculating the orbit from this limited observational arc. Some objects in the GEO regime are geo-transfer orbit (GTO) objects which are observed at their apogee or objects with varying eccentricities such as those with high area-to-mass ratios. For these objects, an assumed circular orbit (ACO) prediction would not be accurate. The new method of observing entails using normal-operation survey mode detections and propagating the orbits to obtain specific right ascensions and declinations to look for follow-up observations. During the follow-up observations, longer arcs are obtained and thus more accurate orbits are calculated. Beginning in July 2005, the MODEST team successfully completed real-time survey and follow-up observations in an effort to establish better orbit predictions for GEO debris. During the July 2005 run, survey mode (normal-operations) was conducted for the first few hours of the night. Using ACO predictions, successful follow-up observations were conducted on those previously detected objects on the same night. With only a circular orbit propagator available, two targets were recovered both with circular orbits. During the October 2005 run, the first night was completed in survey mode. Using an ACO prediction, MODEST was used in follow-up mode on the second and third night specifically targeting the fields where the projected orbits placed the objects. On night one, nine objects were detected, of which five were reacquired on the later nights. Two of the objects were circular UCTs and the other three were circular CTs. The January 2006 survey and chase run was conducted similarly to the October 2005 run where the survey was completed on night one and the follow-up observations were conducted on the subsequent nights. By acquiring a 24 hour arc of data, it was possible to use the eccentric orbit propagator to calculate the orbit. Unfortunately, none of the objects recovered were UCTs. These processes prove that real-time detection is possible with this telescope and also demonstrated that fast reacquisition of an object is feasible.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-B6.1.02.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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