Scan by Monitoring a Pair of Points

Abstract

A systematic and efficient procedure for optical scan along the geostationary orbit (GEO) has been designed to determine the numerous orbits passing near the GEO. The scan corresponds to alternate monitoring of two points on the GEO. Therefore, follow-up observation enables orbits with high orbital inclinations to be captured despite large errors in measurement. The validity of the procedure was confirmed through experimental observation using a 35-cm optical telescope located at the Kashima Space Research Center.