Description and experimental results of a 58-lb portable LEO satellite tracker

Richard J. Tansey; Blair F. Campbell; Andrea Koumvakalis; R. Dantowitz; M. Kozubal

doi:10.1117/12.331224

18 November 1998 Description and experimental results of a 58-lb portable LEO satellite tracker

Richard J. Tansey, Blair F. Campbell, Andrea Koumvakalis, R. Dantowitz, M. Kozubal

Proceedings Volume 3434, Image Intensifiers and Applications; and Characteristics and Consequences of Space Debris and Near-Earth Objects; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.331224
Event: SPIE's International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1998, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

A portable low earth orbit satellite (LEO) tracking mount is described which has dimensions of 21' X 15' X 10' and weighs 58 pounds. Using 22 bit encoders on 9.5' worm gears, an integral microcontroller is capable of adjustable slew rates to six degrees per second. With a CCD and tracking software LEO pointing is demonstrated on f/10 eight inch telescope to less than 8 urad for periods of 10 seconds, and 50 urad for entire orbit passes. A closed loop one Hz video tracker is also described with automatic tracking of mag 7/8 satellites using a 12' telescope. Requiring only one operator, this system can be transported by a small car and be operational in a few hours. Possible uses and other recent work is also explained.

Citation Download Citation

Richard J. Tansey, Blair F. Campbell, Andrea Koumvakalis, R. Dantowitz, and M. Kozubal "Description and experimental results of a 58-lb portable LEO satellite tracker", Proc. SPIE 3434, Image Intensifiers and Applications; and Characteristics and Consequences of Space Debris and Near-Earth Objects, (18 November 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.331224

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