IoSiS: a radar system for imaging of satellites in space

M. Jirousek; S. Anger; S. Dill; E. Schreiber; M. Peichl

doi:10.1117/12.2261967

1 May 2017 IoSiS: a radar system for imaging of satellites in space

M. Jirousek, S. Anger, S. Dill, E. Schreiber, M. Peichl

Proceedings Volume 10188, Radar Sensor Technology XXI; 101880Y (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2261967
Event: SPIE Defense + Security, 2017, Anaheim, CA, United States

Abstract

Space debris nowadays is one of the main threats for satellite systems especially in low earth orbit (LEO). More than 700,000 debris objects with potential to destroy or damage a satellite are estimated. The effects of an impact often are not identifiable directly from ground. High-resolution radar images are helpful in analyzing a possible damage. Therefor DLR is currently developing a radar system called IoSiS (Imaging of Satellites in Space), being based on an existing steering antenna structure and our multi-purpose high-performance radar system GigaRad for experimental investigations. GigaRad is a multi-channel system operating at X band and using a bandwidth of up to 4.4 GHz in the IoSiS configuration, providing fully separated transmit (TX) and receive (RX) channels, and separated antennas. For the observation of small satellites or space debris a highpower traveling-wave-tube amplifier (TWTA) is mounted close to the TX antenna feed. For the experimental phase IoSiS uses a 9 m TX and a 1 m RX antenna mounted on a common steerable positioner. High-resolution radar images are obtained by using Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) techniques. The guided tracking of known objects during overpass allows here wide azimuth observation angles. Thus high azimuth resolution comparable to the range resolution can be achieved. This paper outlines technical main characteristics of the IoSiS radar system including the basic setup of the antenna, the radar instrument with the RF error correction, and the measurement strategy. Also a short description about a simulation tool for the whole instrument and expected images is shown.

Citation Download Citation

M. Jirousek, S. Anger, S. Dill, E. Schreiber, and M. Peichl "IoSiS: a radar system for imaging of satellites in space", Proc. SPIE 10188, Radar Sensor Technology XXI, 101880Y (1 May 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2261967

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