Fabra-ROA Baker-Nunn Camera at Observatori Astronòmic del Montsec: An Instrument Update for Space Debris Observation

A series of Baker-Nunn Cameras (BNC) were manufactured by Smithsonian Institution during the 60s as optical tracking systems for artificial satellites. They were designed to perform optimal optical and mechanical specifications. One of these BNCs was installed at the Real Instituto y Observatorio de la Armada (ROA).

An extensive refurbishment project has been conducted over this camera, turning it into a CCD remote and robotic facility. It has been installed at the Observatori Astronòmic del Montsec (OAdM), in the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees.

As a result, this BNC offers an optimal combination of instrumental specifications for observing space debris, namely: a huge FOV (4.4ºx4.4º), limiting magnitude (V~20) with 30s integration time, capabilities of tracking at arbitrary RA and DEC rates, and opening and closing CCD shutter at will during the exposure. All this performance, together with their remote and robotic natures, allows the refurbished Baker-Nunn camera to revisit an observational program very similar to which was conceived.