Other
Scientific paper
Sep 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011amos.confe..10s&link_type=abstract
Proceedings of the Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference, held in Wailea, Maui, Hawaii, September
Other
Scientific paper
Spin axis orientation and sidereal rotation period determination of unresolved tumbling cylindrical RSOs has the potential of significantly advancing the understanding of the dynamics of non-operational satellites such as Boeing/Hughes 376 communications satellites and SL-6 rocket bodies. Cylinders produce very predictable specular and near-specular flashes and brightness peaks in patterns that are unique to every combination of spin axis vector, phase angle bisector vector and sidereal rotation period for that particular object. The observed flash periods are not constant and differ in defined patterns from the sidereal flash periods. The differences in these periods are very small and difficult to measure accurately enough to accurately discern the required patterns. However, the times of occurrence of the flashes or peaks are much easier measured to the required accuracy to identify the unique patterns. This paper reports on the further development of a technique of determining the spin axis vectors from the observed flashes reported by De Pontieu [1] for tumbling LEO objects. This new approach first measures the average observed flash period and calculates the possible range of sidereal rotation periods that could be producing the observed period. Then the flash times for this range of possible periods are modeled together with all the possible right ascensions and declinations (in increments of one degree) of the spin axis vectors for the changing observertarget- sun geometry for the time period of interest. The modeled flash times are compared with the observed flash times to find the best fit and thus the best candidate spin axis vector. Later observations and analyses with different 3D geometry are then used to eliminate ambiguous solutions and to confirm good candidate vectors. This paper describes the experimental methods and analyses, and presents the candidate spin axis vectors for several 376 and SL-6 objects. Because there is very little “ground truth” data available with which to compare these results, the paper invites observations and analyses from other researchers to validate these experimental methods and to verify or eliminate the spin axis vectors and sidereal rotation periods determined to date. The paper also describes the planned on-orbit experiments to extend this research to observations using NEOSSat when it is launched.
No associations
LandOfFree
Cylindrical RSO Signatures, Spin Axis Orientation and Rotation Period Determination does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Cylindrical RSO Signatures, Spin Axis Orientation and Rotation Period Determination, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cylindrical RSO Signatures, Spin Axis Orientation and Rotation Period Determination will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1078899