Link budget and background noise for satellite quantum key distribution

Optical quantum communication exploiting satellites is the most promising field to enable global quantum communication.     

Optical response of nanosatellite BLITS measured by the Graz 2 kHz SLR system

The nanosatellite BLITS (Ball Lens In The Space) is the first object designed as a passive, spherical retroreflector of the Luneburg type, dedicated for Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR). The optical response of BLITS has been measured by the Graz 2 kHz SLR station and compared with the response of the classical retroreflector arrays (RRA) of the Low Earth Orbiting satellites such as ERS-2 and Stella. This work demonstrates that the optical response of BLITS is flat and featureless, comparable with the signature of a point-source or a flat target, and suggests that this innovative design will deliver a higher normal point (NP) accuracy (2.55 mm) than any other SLR target currently in orbit. The high reflectivity of the glassy BLITS (about 60% of the return rate from the multi-reflector Stella) is found to be decreasing by about 30% per year, probably due to the solar irradiation. Detailed analysis of the reflective half-shell demonstrates that a high return rate of SLR measurements can be achieved regardless of the incident angle of the laser beam, thus making the spherical lens a perfect successor of the classical RRA panels mounted on active satellites such as CHAMP, GOCE and GRACE.     

高精度卫星光学遥感器辐射定标技术

随着长期气候变化等观测新需求和高分辨对地观测等新手段的发展,空间光学仪器面临进一步提高辐射定标精度的要求。文章从空间光学仪器定标精度的制约因素和全过程定标的实现等方面,分析了国际相关领域的技术进展,并就新型定标技术的研究和应用提出建议与展望。     

An adaptive threshold method for improving astrometry of space debris CCD images

Optical survey is a main technique for observing space debris, and precisely measuring the positions of space debris is of great importance. Due to several factors, e.g. the angle object normal to the observer, the shape as well as the attitude of the object, the variations of observed characteristics for low earth orbital space debris are distinct. When we look at optical CCD images of observed objects, the size and brightness are varying, hence it’s difficult to decide the threshold during centroid measurement and precise astrometry. Traditionally the threshold is given empirically and constantly in data reduction, and obviously it’s not suitable for data reduction of space debris. Here we offer a solution to provide the threshold. Our method assumes that the PSF (point spread function) is Gaussian and estimates the signal flux by a directly two-dimensional Gaussian fit, then a cubic spline interpolation is performed to divide each initial pixel into several sub-pixels, at last the threshold is determined by the estimation of signal flux and the sub-pixels above threshold are separated to estimate the centroid. A trail observation of the fast spinning satellite Ajisai is made and the CCD frames are obtained to test our algorithm. The calibration precision of various threshold is obtained through the comparison between the observed equatorial position and the reference one, the latter are obtained from the precise ephemeris of the satellite. The results indicate that our method reduces the total errors of measurements, it works effectively in improving the centering precision of space debris images.     

Operational modal analysis via image based technique of very flexible space structures

Vibrations represent one of the most important topics of the engineering design relevant to flexible structures. The importance of this problem increases when a very flexible system is considered, and this is often the case of space structures. In order to identify the modal characteristics, in terms of natural frequencies and relevant modal parameters, ground tests are performed. However, these parameters could vary due to the operative conditions of the system. In order to continuously monitor the modal characteristics during the satellite lifetime, an operational modal analysis is mandatory. This kind of analysis is usually performed by using classical accelerometers or strain gauges and by properly analyzing the acquired output. In this paper a different approach for the vibrations data acquisition will be performed via image-based technique. In order to simulate a flexible satellite, a free flying platform is used; the problem is furthermore complicated by the fact that the overall system, constituted by a highly rigid bus and very flexible panels, must necessarily be modeled as a multibody system. In the experimental campaign, the camera, placed on the bus, will be used to identify the eigenfrequencies of the vibrating structure; in this case aluminum thin plates simulate very flexible solar panels. The structure is excited by a hammer or studied during a fast attitude maneuver. The results of the experimental activity will be investigated and compared with respect to the numerical simulation obtained via a FEM-multibody software and the relevant results will be proposed and discussed.     

Dynamics of the dayside Aurora Australis

Current dayside optical studies of Aurora Australis from the Amundsen-Scott Research Station at the South Pole (74 degrees magnetic latitude) show some striking differences from optical results reported from Svalbard. A 6-channel meridian scanning photometer operating during the past three austral winters shows, in particular, the 630 nm emission is much lower, on average, than the Arctic dayside aurora and very weak on some days. The 558 nm intensity is higher relative to 630 nm suggesting the incoming electrons have a higher average energy. There are notable differences in auroral forms, giving further evidence of asymmetries in the two dayside ovals.     

Properties of the high area-to-mass ratio space debris population at high altitudes

In the framework of its space debris research activities ESA established an optical survey program to study the space debris environment at high altitudes, in particular in the geostationary ring and in the geostationary transfer orbit region. The Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern (AIUB) performs these surveys on behalf of ESA using ESA’s 1-m telescope in Tenerife. Regular observations were started in 1999 and are continued during about 120–140 nights per year. Results from these surveys revealed a substantial amount of space debris at high altitudes in the size range from 0.1 to 1 m. Several space debris populations with different dynamical properties were identified in the geostationary ring. During the searches for debris in the geostationary transfer orbit region a new population of objects in unexpected orbits, where no potential progenitors exist, was found. The orbital periods of these objects are clustered around one revolution per day; the eccentricities, however, are scattered between 0 and 0.6. By following-up some of these objects using the ESA telescope and AIUB’s 1-m telescope in Zimmerwald, Switzerland, it was possible to study the properties of this new population. One spectacular finding from monitoring the orbits over time spans of days to months is the fact that these objects must have extreme area-to-mass ratios, which are by several orders of magnitudes higher than for ‘normal-type’ debris. This in turn supports the hypothesis that the new population actually is debris generated in or near the geostationary ring and which is in orbits with periodically varying eccentricity and inclination due to perturbations by solar radiation pressure. In order to further study the nature of these debris, multi-color and temporal photometry (light curves) were acquired with the Zimmerwald telescope. The light curves show strong variations over short time intervals, including signals typical for specular reflections. Some objects exhibit distinct periodic variations with periods ranging from 10 to several 100 s. All this is indicative for objects with complicated shapes and some highly reflective surfaces.     

Patterns of variability in γ-ray blazars

Preliminary results of a systematic study on the simultaneous optical-to-X-rays variability in blazars are presented. Data from Swift observations of four bright γ-ray blazars (3C 279, ON +231, S5 0716+71, PKS 2155−304) have been analyzed, compared, and discussed. Specifically, 3C 279 shows a variable flattening in the low energy part of the X-ray spectrum that appears to be confined in a specific X-ray vs optical/UV fluxes region. Some implications are shortly analyzed.     

用光纤半圆阵列测量准二维工件表面粗糙度参数的仿真研究

提出了一种反散射计算的简单、快速方法,用于用光纤半圆阵列的光散射技术测量准二维工件表面的粗糙度参数。这些参数包括高度特性参数 R_a、间距特性参数λ_a 和混合参数△_a。我们的研究证明了上述测量方法的正确性。因而,这种测量方法可用于测量工件表面粗糙度参数仪器的设计。     

质子和电子对光学反射镜辐射效应的研究

研究了能量为E=160keV质子和电子单独及综合辐照作用对两种空间反射镜光学表面的影响。观察到在辐照剂量达到Φ=10×105/cm2后反射镜表面形咸了明显的结构缺陷,并导致某些谱段反射率的降低和成像质量的下降。辐照诱发缺陷的类型及分布特征除与粒子种类和反射镜结构有关外,还依赖于试样的接地方式。质子幅照主要引起反射镜表面膜层的起泡现象;电子辐照则使SiO2保护膜着色;综合辐照的影响复杂,尤其是在接近于空间使用条件的第二种接地方式下,起泡现象和静电效应成为镜面损伤的主要机制。