Using laser radar polarization signatures for determining properties of a spinning sphere

David Charles Dayton; Mark Elowitz; Laura J. Ulibarri

doi:10.1117/12.512075

12 December 2003 Using laser radar polarization signatures for determining properties of a spinning sphere

David Charles Dayton, Mark Elowitz, Laura J. Ulibarri

Proceedings Volume 5158, Polarization Science and Remote Sensing; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.512075
Event: Optical Science and Technology, SPIE's 48th Annual Meeting, 2003, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

This paper describes initial results on the use of a laser radar (LADAR)system to measure the rotational properties of a spinning sphere coated with two different surface materials. Numerical simulations were carried out using the Time-Domain Analysis Simulation for Advanced Tracking (TASAT) toolkit and a specialized laser ranging module included within the toolkit. Assuming some of the surface materials on the sphere's surface depolarize the incident radiation from the laser, the rotational properties of the object can be deduced. Futhermore, polarization properties of materials can enhance the ability to extract information about the sphere's rotational rate and relative orientation in the case where speckle noise and tracking jitter is significant. Future work will involve the creation of a large database of simulated return signatures for many orientations and rotation rates. The database will be correlated against actual LADAR measurements in order to determine the rotational and orientation properties of spinning objects in low earth orbit.

Citation Download Citation

David Charles Dayton, Mark Elowitz, and Laura J. Ulibarri "Using laser radar polarization signatures for determining properties of a spinning sphere", Proc. SPIE 5158, Polarization Science and Remote Sensing, (12 December 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.512075

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