Nanosecond Time-Tagging of Space Objects Images
- Paper number
IAC-06-B6.1.06
- Author
Mr. Martin Nemec, Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Republic
- Coauthor
Prof. Ivan Procházka, Czech Republic
- Coauthor
Prof. Karel Hamal, Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Republic
- Coauthor
Dr. Georg Kirchner, Austria
- Coauthor
Mr. Franz Koidl, Austria
- Coauthor
Mr. Wolfgang G. Voller, Austria
- Year
2006
- Abstract
We are presenting new optical tracking techniques of space objects based on simultaneous CCD and laser measurements. The application is enabled by the availability of the optical tracking and laser ranging facilities co-located on observing site. Optical tracking is a standard technique to determine the orbit of small space objects, space debris in particular. The sequence of angular CCD measurements of an object position relative to catalogued stars is used to calculate the orbit. The time interval between the observations and the angular position resolution and accuracy are the limiting factors in the resulting orbit determination. The new optical tracking techniques provide three basic options: 1) the CCD tracking of laser illuminated object, 2) the simultaneous CCD tracking and laser ranging and 3) the nanosecond laser time tagging of the CCD exposures and position readings. The first two techniques can be performed on cooperative - corner retroreflectors equipped - satellites (high power lasers could be further used even for non-cooperative) objects, while the third one is applicable to any space object, the space debris in particular. The laser time-tags are formed by the atmospherically back-scattered photons transmitted by the laser ranging system and are recorded simultaneously with the space objects on the CCD. The laser time emission is recorded with nanosecond precision providing multiple time-tags for the image exposure. The high accuracy and density of laser ranging data and additional time tags in the CCD image contribute to the solution stability of computed orbits from data based even on a single tracking location within a single pass. We have tested the combined laser and CCD tracking at the facilities of the Institute for Space Research, Graz, Austria. The first results of the test targets tracking, which demonstrate the techniques feasibility, will be presented.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-B6.1.06.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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