Tracking LEO remote sensing satellite as a mean to attract young students towards space

Paper number

IAC-06-E1.1.09

Author

Mr. Tal Inbar, Fisher Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies, Israel

Year

2006

Abstract

In this article I will describe an ongoing educational initiative, which will use satellite tracking as a tool to inspire young students to learn about space in an exciting innovative way. 

The initiative described in the article is to organize an educational program for teenagers nation-wide, in which several passes of an Israeli LEO satellite will be made with its solar panels looking DOWN towards the ground, in order that observers could see its flare when the satellite will be passing above them.


The challenge is not simple, since the brightness of the satellite’s solar panel is relatively low, and the satellite itself is very fast from a ground observer point of view.

The article will focus on choosing the satellite to be tracked, negotiation with the satellites operators, making the necessary arrangements and orbital calculations to make the satellite visible on the ground, promoting this initiative and targeting the dates of the special passes of the satellite to meet the dates of the world space week. Among other topics, the initiative will help students and teachers to deal with orbital mechanics, Apparent magnitude, optical astronomical observations, celestial object, maps and navigation, and more.


Nation wide contest is to be held, with prizes to the teams or individuals who will “catch” the satellite on camera. With proper advertisement, the special passes of the satellite could be a mass media event and several TV channels already showed their interest in the initiative and promised to have cameras crews on various spots in the country.

Other countries could easily adopt this educational activity to track their own satellites, as well as other nation’s satellites.

Abstract document

IAC-06-E1.1.09.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-E1.1.09.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.