Remote Sensing of the EnviSat and Cbers-2B satellites rotation around the centre of mass by photometry

Кошкин, Н. И.; Korobeynikova, E.; Shakun, L.; Strakhova, S.; Tang, Zhenghong

doi:10.1016/j.asr.2016.04.024

Cited by 28 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Estimating the rotational state of space debris is very difficult when using ground-based observations because of the limited detection capability and the small amount of acquired data. The existing detection and research results are limited to objects at orbital altitudes of approximately 500-1500 km or higher, and such objects are relatively easy to detect (Kucharski et al 2013;Koshkin et al 2016;Lin and Zhao 2018;Pittet et al 2018). In the extremely low-orbit region (altitudes lower than 300 km), the small number of detectable objects coupled with their high velocity, short pass duration, and short orbital lifetime require better observation conditions and higher observation capability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tiangong-1’s accelerated self-spin before reentry

Lin

Zhu

Zhang

et al. 2019

Earth Planets Space

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The detection and study of the rotational motion of space debris, which is affected by environmental factors, is a popular topic. However, relevant research in extremely low-orbit regions cannot be conducted due to a lack of observational data. Here, we fill in the gaps to present the rotational evolution of Tiangong-1 in the 5 months prior to reentry. Derived from the changes in the relative distance of its two corner cube reflectors from satellite laser ranging data, the angular momentum of Tiangong-1, which is relatively stable during observation, deviates from its maximum principal axis of inertia and precesses around the normal direction of the orbital plane due to gravity gradient torque at an angle of 23.1 • ± 2.5 • . Requiring consistency with the relationship between the angular momentum and precession rate leads to a solution for the rotation rate, which is thus found to increase. This result cannot be explained by any previously developed torque models. Hence, an atmospheric density gradient torque (ADGT) model that considers the torque generated by the change in atmospheric density with orbital altitude at the satellite scale is proposed to explain the rotational acceleration mechanism of extremely low-orbit objects. The numerical results show that the ADGT model provides a non-negligible ability to explain, but cannot fully describe, the acceleration effect. The data on the rotational evolution of Tiangong-1 can provide an important basis for aerodynamic model improvement by addressing minor factors omitted in previous models. which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tiangong-1’s accelerated self-spin before reentry

Lin

Zhu

Zhang

et al. 2019

Earth Planets Space

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“…The intensity of the detected light depends mainly on the following: (1) the angular configuration between the direction to the Sun, the ground system, and the normal vectors to the satellite surface elements, (2) the optical properties of the satellite body, and (3) the slant range to the satellite and the atmospheric conditions during the pass. The measured brightness is corrected for the atmospheric absorption and expressed as the standard magnitude at the distance of 1,000 km (Koshkin et al, ). The brightness modulation of the sunlit satellite allows for the spin parameters determination during the nighttime periods only.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Photon Pressure Force on Space Debris TOPEX/Poseidon Measured by Satellite Laser Ranging

Kucharski

Kirchner

Bennett³

et al. 2017

Earth and Space Science

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The (TOPography EXperiment) TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) altimetry mission operated for 13 years before the satellite was decommissioned in January 2006, becoming a large space debris object at an altitude of 1,340 km. Since the end of the mission, the interaction of T/P with the space environment has driven the satellite's spin dynamics. Satellite laser ranging (SLR) measurements collected from June 2014 to October 2016 allow for the satellite spin axis orientation to be determined with an accuracy of 1.7°. The spin axis coincides with the platform yaw axis (formerly pointing in the nadir direction) about which the body rotates in a counterclockwise direction. The combined photometric and SLR data collected over the 11 year time span indicates that T/P has continuously gained rotational energy at an average rate of 2.87 J/d and spins with a period of 10.73 s as of 19 October 2016. The satellite attitude model shows a variation of the cross‐sectional area in the Sun direction between 8.2 m2 and 34 m2. The direct solar radiation pressure is the main factor responsible for the spin‐up of the body, and the exerted photon force varies from 65 μN to 228 μN around the mean value of 138.6 μN. Including realistic surface force modeling in orbit propagation algorithms will improve the prediction accuracy, giving better conjunction warnings for scenarios like the recent close approach reported by the ILRS Space Debris Study Group—an approximate 400 m flyby between T/P and Jason‐2 on 20 June 2017.

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“…In paper Koshkin (2016) on the basis of photometry in 2013-2015, we estimated the rate of rotation period change of another large space debris object -the inactive European satellite Envisat orbiting on altitude of 760 km with inclination of 98°. This object also has a very asymmetrical shape, but unlike the case described above, the Envisat's rotation period increases with time, that is, the satellite's rotation slows down.…”

Section: Topex and Envisat Spacecrafts Rotation Monitoringmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Change in the visible period of Envisat rotation, obtained from the observed light curves, Odessa, KT-50. From April 2013 to May 2015, the rotation period increased with acceleration(Koshkin, 2016); from May 2015 to April 2018 -it is increased with a slowdown.…”

mentioning

confidence: 96%

Monitoring of Space Debris Rotation Based on Photometry

Кошкин

Shakun

Korobeynikova

et al. 2018

OAP

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The number of spacecraft and space debris (SD) in orbit has become so great that there is a real threat to flight safety. The task of precision calculation of the upcoming positions of any space objects (SO) in orbit in order to predict dangerous mutual approaches and to solve practical tasks has become topical. For the development of a modern orbit propagation model and the associated unified forecast of the evolution of orientation and rotation of an uncontrolled satellite, it is necessary to rely on long-term series of high-quality measurements and their analysis. At present, the direction of research on determining the state of SO rotation around a center of mass has become more and more developed. In our work, we analyze the results of photometric observations of several large objects of space debris obtained at the Astronomical Observatory of Odessa University using the KT-50 telescope during the last six years or more. The results of the evolution of the rotation rate and orientation of the Topex/Poseidon, Envisat, Oicets, Cosmos-2487 (Kondor-E) and Sich-2 satellites are presented.

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Remote Sensing of the EnviSat and Cbers-2B satellites rotation around the centre of mass by photometry

Cited by 28 publications

References 3 publications

Tiangong-1’s accelerated self-spin before reentry

Tiangong-1’s accelerated self-spin before reentry

Photon Pressure Force on Space Debris TOPEX/Poseidon Measured by Satellite Laser Ranging

Monitoring of Space Debris Rotation Based on Photometry

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