Abstract We have derived a tri-axial ellipsoidal model of an LEO object, a Cosmos 2082 rocket body, including its rotational axis direction, rotation period, precession, and a compositional parameter, using only light curve data from an optical telescope. The brightness of the object was monitored for two days and least-squares fitting was used to determine these values. The derived axial ratios are 100:18:18, the coordinates of the rotational axis direction on the celestial sphere are R.A. =305.8° and Dec. =2.6°, and its observed average rotation period is 41s. When precession is considered, its amplitude and precession period are 30.5° and 29.4min. These results show that optical light curve data are sufficient to determine the shapes and the motions of LEO objects.
Shape and motion estimate of LEO debris using light curves
Advances in Space Research ; 50 , 1 ; 136-145
2012-03-16
10 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Shape and motion estimate of LEO debris using light curves
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