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    • Use of an astronomical telescope to search for orbital debris

    Paper number

    IAC-08.A6.1.1

    Author

    Mr. Paul Kervin, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), United States

    Coauthor

    Mr. Paul Sydney, Boeing LTS, United States

    Coauthor

    Dr. Moriba Jah, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), United States

    Coauthor

    Mr. Mark Bolden, US Air Force Research Laboratory, United States

    Year

    2008

    Abstract
    Pan-STARRS (Panoramic Survey Telescope & Rapid Response System) is a telescope system designed by the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy.  The purpose of the telescope is to rapidly survey the sky to discover and characterize Earth-approaching objects (asteroids and comets), as well as to detect other transient phenomena.  Although the final configuration will be a 4-telescope system, there is currently a single prototype telescope on Haleakala, on Maui, Hawaii.  This prototype has a 1.8 meter aperture with a field of view of 7 square degrees.  The 1.4 gigapixel camera is a novel design based on Orthogonal Transfer Arrays (OTA).  These arrays can shift charge in both axes in real time, allowing closed-loop tracking on a bright star in each OTA, independently of other OTAs.

While designed for an astronomical mission, this telescope can be used to search for orbital debris in or near the geo belt by turning off sidereal track during the exposure.  A search method similar to that developed by John Africano et al and used by the IADC (Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee) can be used that will survey the entire geo belt observable from Maui in a single night.  The estimated limiting visual magnitude in this mode is expected to be near 22nd magnitude.  The telescope will be used in this mode several times in 2008.

This paper will discuss the design of the telescope, the search strategy used, and the results of the survey of the geo belt.  This will include actual limiting magnitude, distribution of objects detected as a function of visual magnitude, and related results.
    Abstract document

    IAC-08.A6.1.1.pdf

    Manuscript document

    IAC-08.A6.1.1.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

    To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.