Interferometric Observations of Geosynchronous Satellites

TL;DR

This paper proposes co-locating passive satellite observation facilities with radio astronomy sites to improve satellite orbit estimation and support radio astronomical research, leveraging interferometric techniques for enhanced data collection.

Contribution

It introduces a novel scheme for satellite observation that combines radio astronomy infrastructure with satellite tracking, enabling new applications in orbit estimation and ionospheric studies.

Findings

Potential for improved satellite orbit accuracy

Enhanced radio astronomical imaging capabilities

Feasibility of co-located observation facilities

Abstract

In recent years, a large number of geosynchronous satellites are being planned to provide augmentation services for enhancing the precision to global positioning systems, e.g., GPS, in applications such as aircraft landing. In this paper, we present a scheme for co-locating passive satellite observational facilities with a radio astronomy facility to open a new possibility of providing valuable data for radio astronomical imaging, ionospheric studies and satellite orbit estimation.