Monitoring objects orbiting earth using satellite-based telescopes
An ephemeris refinement system includes satellites with imaging devices in earth orbit to make observations of space-based objects ("target objects") and a ground-based controller that controls the scheduling of the satellites to make the observations of the target objects and refines orbital models of the target objects. The ground-based controller determines when the target objects of interest will be near enough to a satellite for that satellite to collect an image of the target object based on an initial orbital model for the target objects. The ground-based controller directs the schedules to be uploaded to the satellites, and the satellites make observations as scheduled and download the observations to the ground-based controller. The ground-based controller then refines the initial orbital models of the target objects based on the locations of the target objects that are derived from the observations.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC52-07NA27344
- Assignee:
- Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (Livermore, CA)
- Patent Number(s):
- 9,067,693
- Application Number:
- 13/559,440
- OSTI ID:
- 1187956
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 2012 Jul 26
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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