329. Tracking and Monitoring Suborbital Commercial Space Vehicles

Team

Project Description

Monitoring the launch and on-orbit health of space-based assets will enhance and improve existing capabilities for safe and successful use of the near-Earth environment for scientific, military, and commercial purposes. This task will also help build a body of knowledge to assist in the development of the appropriate regulatory requirements for the commercial space industry.

Project Outcomes

The goal of this task is to provide monitoring capabilities to space vehicles operating from Space Port America in New Mexico and other commercial space assets from LEO to GEO orbit zones. This goal is related to AST mission to protect public and property.

DELIVERABLES: High-resolution, fast-frame rate position and photometric coverage
of the launch of vehicles into Earth orbit as well as on-orbit monitoring.

Task 1: Refine the tracking and pointing capabilities of the MRO 2.4-meter telescope for observing fast-moving terrestrial objects.
Task 2: Develop algorithms for analysis of photometry and spectroscopy data obtained
of monitored orbital and sub-orbital space vehicles.
Task 3: Acquire and utilize real-time observational data of space vehicles or
stratospheric balloons to demonstrate monitoring feasibility and associated benefits.

Summary of Output

The task involves providing high-resolution, fast-frame rate position and photometric coverage and monitoring of suborbital space vehicles, stratospheric balloons and other assets operating from Spaceport America in New Mexico. The 2.4-meter telescope can slew and track at a rate of 10 degrees per second.. This task is moderately critical because of AST commitment to protect public and property.