Analysis of Design Options of a Large Ground-Based Radar for Europe’s Future Space Surveillance System
- Paper number
IAC-08.A6.5.4
- Author
Dr. Holger Krag, European Space Agency (ESA), Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Heiner Klinkrad, European Space Agency (ESA), Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Roberto Maddè, European Space Agency (ESA), Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Gunther Sessler, European Space Agency (ESA), Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Pier-Mario Besso, European Space Agency (ESA), Germany
- Year
2008
- Abstract
Europe is preparing for the development of an autonomous space surveillance and situational awareness system. First concept and capability analysis studies have lead to a draft system proposal. This foresees, in a first deployment step, a ground-based system consisting of radar systems and a network of optical telescopes. In a second step the system is planned to be extended by adding space-based assets and the associated ground-segment. The terrestrial part of the system will be responsible for the build-up and maintenance of a catalogue of space objects. Studies showed that one large UHF phased array radar alone could act as the single means for the generation of a catalogue of LEO objects (apogee altitudes < 2000km). Catalogue initialisation requires the presence of objects in the FOV for a minimum length to enable orbit determination of sufficient accuracy. Catalogue maintenance requires objects to be re-observable after limited time spans so that they can be clearly correlated. First system studies revealed that a ground-based radar in mid Northern latitudes, scanning a large azimuth range in Southern directions under shallow elevation angles, could initialise and maintain a LEO catalogue of a size that is similar to that of the NORAD catalogue. As the whole system is about to enter into the requirements identification phase, basic preliminary design aspects, like the signal frequency, operating mode, as well as the dimensions of the search field are currently under investigation. The location and configuration of the radar system and its requirements on power, viewing direction and scanning frequency are subject to an iterative design and optimisation process. This paper will outline the design definition process and present first results from the identification of major radar parameters. The influence of the latitude of the radar, the viewing direction and the dimensions of the search field on the achievable catalogue coverage will be analysed. Simulation tools will be used to analyse the compatibility of the radar design with cold-start catalogue initialization and catalogue maintenance requirements. The underlying simulation and verification concept will be explained. Important radar performance parameter like power, frequency and the shape of the beam will be studied with respect to the corresponding layout of the patch antennas, technical constraints and cost. Finally, a first architectural concept for such a system will be discussed.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.A6.5.4.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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