Concurrent collection of metric observations and spectral brightness data for space objects

ABSTRACT: Applied Optimization, Inc. proposes to develop a prototype hardware and software system for concurrent collection of metric observations and single-point spectral brightness data. The concurrency will be attained by using all but a few percent of the CCD pixel array for metric observations and the balance for collecting spectral data. A filter micro-array (or, micro-filter) will be positioned above the CCD focal plane such that it covers a chosen sub-array of pixels. The micro-filter is intended to be stationary and thus no filter wheel or filter tray would be necessary in an operational system. The proposed system will have ability to perform in-frame photometric calibration based on the reference stars that come serendipitously into the FOV of the pixels covered by the micro-filter. When closely-spaced objects (CSO) or cross-tagged objects (CTO) are encountered, the telescope may be boresighted such that the objects of interest appear within the FOV of the pixels covered by the micro-filter in order to collect their spectral brightness while the remaining pixels continue to collect metrics data. Due to such a blended collection of metric and spectral data, the OPS efficiency of the metrics mission will not be compromised. The prototype hardware will be implemented on systems that emulate GEODSS and SBSS. Back-end processing for RSO characterization and discrimination will be performed on the collected data for CSOs and CTOs in order to develop a metric of success for the data collection and its analysis. BENEFIT: Benefits: (1) Enable routine collection of spectral data with negligible impact on the operational efficiency of a SSN sensor for metrics data collection. (2) Eliminate moving components such as a filter wheel or filter tray and thereby eliminate the possibility of malfunction. (3) Enable simultaneous collection of spectral brightness data for a cluster of CSOs and its analysis for RSO discrimination at the sensor in order improve the quality of the catalog. Applications: (1) Software for data reduction, panchromatic and spectral brightness determination, and RSO discrimination using SSN data (2) Hardware for low-cost concurrent collection of metric observations and spectral data using COTS systems.