<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Simulation modelling of the observability of low Earth orbit (LEO) objects was performed using optical surveillance facilities depending on their geographic location and time of year. Orbital data for LEO objects from the open-access catalogue of the near-Earth space objects of the US Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC) were taken as the initial data for the simulation. The simulation results revealed a complex relationship between the pattern of observability of a LEO object, its orbital parameters and location of the optical surveillance facility, in particular, for Sun-synchronous orbits (SSO) and observing facilities located near the equator. We also discuss variations in the frequency of passes of LEO objects into the field of view (FOV) and in the duration of their observation while passing through the FOV for optical surveillance facilities at three alternative locations. The obtained results and modelling techniques can be further used in the location planning of new optical observing facilities.</p></abstract>

Simulation modelling of the observability of low Earth orbit (LEO) objects was performed using optical surveillance facilities depending on their geographic location and time of year. Orbital data for LEO objects from the open-access catalogue of the near-Earth space objects of the US Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC) were taken as the initial data for the simulation. The simulation results revealed a complex relationship between the pattern of observability of a LEO object, its orbital parameters and location of the optical surveillance facility, in particular, for Sun-synchronous orbits (SSO) and observing facilities located near the equator. We also discuss variations in the frequency of passes of LEO objects into the field of view (FOV) and in the duration of their observation while passing through the FOV for optical surveillance facilities at three alternative locations. The obtained results and modelling techniques can be further used in the location planning of new optical observing facilities.

Observation of LEO Objects Using Optical Surveillance Facilities: The Geographic Aspect

The Centre for Special Data Reception and Processing and Navigating Field Control

Research Institute Astronomical Observatory of Odessa I.I. Mechnikov National University

National Space Facilities Control and Test Centre

Artificial Satellites

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Simulation modelling of the observability of low Earth orbit (LEO) objects was performed using optical surveillance facilities depending on their geographic...

Observation of LEO Objects Using Optical Surveillance Facilities: The Geographic Aspect

Published Online: Jan 28, 2020

Page range: 113 - 128

Received: Aug 02, 2019

Accepted: Dec 11, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/arsa-2019-0009

Keywords
LEO objects, simulation modelling, optical observations, observation scheduling

© 2019 O.M. Kozhukhov et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Observation of LEO Objects Using Optical Surveillance Facilities: The Geographic Aspect

Published Online: Jan 28, 2020

Page range: 113 - 128

Received: Aug 02, 2019

Accepted: Dec 11, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/arsa-2019-0009

KeywordsLEO objects, simulation modelling, optical observations, observation scheduling

© 2019 O.M. Kozhukhov et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
LEO objects, simulation modelling, optical observations, observation scheduling