Feasibility study on the use of digital TV satellite signal to detect space object

In order to improve the performance of space situational awareness (SSA) while reducing the cost of such a system, we consider the use of passive bistatic radar with signals unintended for SSA. In this presentation, we provide the results of our on-going work on the use of digital TV satellite signal at 12 GHz for the purpose of SSA. Such a system has a potential for a wider deployment detecting and tracing small space objects. Modelling was performed by using radar cross section and geometric optics to infer the level of propagation channel amplitude and phase variation when the space object passes through between a geostationary digital TV satellite transmitter and a ground receiver. Actual measurement was performed at CSIRO Radiophysics Laboratory in Marsfield, Sydney, when the International Space Station was passing through using a commercially available digital TV satellite receiver and a Keysight UXA signal analyser. Channel variation was estimated from the amplitude variation and the phase rotation of decoded quadrature phase shift keying signal constellation taking advantage of the wide bandwidth (50 MHz) and improving on the signal to noise ratio. The results indicate areas of requiring further improvements and the direction of further investigation.