Ionospheric correction of space radar data

TL;DR

This paper emphasizes the importance of ionospheric correction in space radar data for accurate tracking of low Earth orbit objects, highlighting current challenges and proposing research directions for improved correction techniques.

Contribution

It reviews ionospheric effects on radar tracking and advocates for customized correction methods considering altitude and space weather, within the EURIPOS initiative.

Findings

Ionospheric effects significantly impact radar tracking accuracy.

Correction techniques need to be tailored to object altitude and space weather.

Research approaches are outlined for developing better ionospheric correction methods.

Abstract

Radar is a critical tool for maintaining knowledge of the many ob-jects in low Earth orbit and thus for maintaining confidence that societies around the world are secure against a variety of space-based threats. It is therefore important to raise awareness that LEO objects are embedded in the envelope of relatively dense plasma that co-rotates with the Earth (ionosphere-plasmasphere system) and thus accurate tracking must cor-rect for the group delay and refraction caused by that system. This paper seeks to promote that awareness by reviewing those effects and high-lighting key issues: the need to customise correction to the altitude of the tracked object and prevailing space weather conditions, that ionospheric correction may be particularly important as an object approaches re-entry. The paper outlines research approaches that should lead to better techniques for ionospheric correction and shows how these might be pur-sued in the context of the EURIPOS initiative.