Adapting a ground-based laser ranging system at NASA-GSFC for identification and tracking of orbital debris

D. Barry Coyle; Paul R. Stysley; Jan F. McGarry; Scott M. Hull; Kenneth M. Getzandanner; Romae P. Young

doi:10.1117/12.2015460

5 May 2013 Adapting a ground-based laser ranging system at NASA-GSFC for identification and tracking of orbital debris

D. Barry Coyle, Paul R. Stysley, Jan F. McGarry, Scott M. Hull, Kenneth M. Getzandanner, Romae P. Young

Proceedings Volume 8731, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XVIII; 87310F (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2015460
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2013, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Abstract

The mitigation of orbital debris was addressed in the most recent release of the National Space Policy directing space faring agencies to pursue technologies that will “mitigate and remove on-orbit debris.” No matter what abatement technology is developed and deployed, still lacking is the remote sensing infrastructure to locate and track these objects with adequate precision. We propose using GSFC's ground-based laser ranging facility to provide meter-level or better ranging precision on optically passive 10-30 cm orbital debris targets with the goal of improving current predictions up to 85%. The improved location accuracy also has the immediate benefit of reducing costly false alarms in collision predictions for existing assets.

Citation Download Citation

D. Barry Coyle, Paul R. Stysley, Jan F. McGarry, Scott M. Hull, Kenneth M. Getzandanner, and Romae P. Young "Adapting a ground-based laser ranging system at NASA-GSFC for identification and tracking of orbital debris", Proc. SPIE 8731, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XVIII, 87310F (5 May 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2015460

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available