Obtaining the light curves of defunct artificial satellites using observations and modelling
Abstract
During the routinely optical survey of geosynchronous orbits, it was detected a significant number of inactive payloads, which are located in the graveyard orbits. The analysis of the images acquired showed a variation in the objects' brightness, a sign that they are rotating. It is presented lightcurves of the inactive satellite GORIZONT 11 (COSPAR ID: 1985-007A) obtained by 2 methods: 1) using astrometric observations; and 2) from modeling the shape of the satellite. The results are compared in order to determine the attitude of the satellite based on its shape and orientation. Also, the visibility of the satellite was studied, considering the illumination by the Sun and the altitude above the horizon. Thus we were able to determine the following periods in which the satellite is visible from the same location, in order to perform a new session of observations and check if there were changes in the light curve, which would imply a change in the satellite's attitude.
- Publication:
-
Theory, Observations and Data Processing in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space and Planetary Sciences
- Pub Date:
- July 2022
- Bibcode:
- 2022todp.confE..15T