Space debris tracking at San Fernando laser station
Abstract
For years to come space debris will be a major issue for society. It has a negative impact on active artificial satellites, having implications for future missions. Tracking space debris as accurately as possible is the first step towards controlling this problem, yet it presents a challenge for science. The main limitation is the relatively low accuracy of the methods used to date for tracking these objects. Clearly, improving the predicted orbit accuracy is crucial (avoiding unnecessary anti-collision maneuvers). A new field of research was recently instituted by our satellite laser ranging station: tracking decommissioned artificial satellites equipped with retroreflectors. To this end we work in conjunction with international space agencies which provide increasing attention to this problem. We thus proposed to share our time-schedule of use of the satellite laser ranging station for obtaining data that would make orbital element predictions far more accurate (meter accuracy), whilst maintaining our tracking routines for active satellites. This manuscript reports on the actions carried out so far.
- Publication:
-
Revista Mexicana de Astronomia y Astrofisica Conference Series
- Pub Date:
- December 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016RMxAC..48..103C
- Keywords:
-
- methods: observational;
- space vehicles