A Method of Detecting Space Debris with FM Radio Signals
Abstract
Space debris is an increasing threat to active satellites and spacecrafts, and accurate and affordable tracking of space objects is necessary to maintain a safe space environment. Previously, the possibilities of using radio telescopes as passive radars to detect reflected Frequency Modulation (FM) signals from space debris are discussed, and reflections from the Moon and the International Space Station (ISS) were detected using the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA). In this paper, detections of transient events caused by reflections from satellites with the MWA are reported, demonstrating the ability of the MWA to detect space debris on scales as small as 0.1 m at 600 km distance. The error in position is about 10 km.
- Publication:
-
Acta Astronomica Sinica
- Pub Date:
- September 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018AcASn..59...47Z
- Keywords:
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- radio continuum: general;
- space debris;
- techniques: interferometric