Range-Doppler-Time Tensor Processing for Deep-Space Satellite Characterization Using Narrowband Radar

Abstract

There is growing demand for the high-fidelity characterization of satellites in Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) to support Space Domain Awareness (SDA). This is particularly true for newly launched satellites, where it is necessary for satellite providers to ascertain whether components have deployed properly. Conventional wideband radar systems are capable of imaging satellites provided that (i) they have sufficient power aperture and bandwidth, and (ii) they observe enough target aspect change to generate a resolved image. While wideband radars are used routinely for characterizing satellites in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), powerful radars with sensitivity sufficient for large GEO ranges (36,000 km or greater) are lacking. Thus, researchers often rely on more widely available high-power narrowband tracking radars for GEO characterization. In this paper, we present a novel range-Doppler-time (RDT) tensor processing technique for GEO characterization with narrowband radar. This technique encapsulates the strengths of previously proposed methods for narrowband-radar characterization at GEO, providing a generalized approach that can be applied in a variety of settings. The technique generates fully resolved 2D images of rotating GEO satellites in low-bandwidth scenarios. In cases where aspect change is limited, the technique provides detailed Doppler information for enhanced satellite status monitoring. This work presents a comprehensive quantitative analysis of the technique that considers the impact of key parameters on characterization performance. Simulated radar data, and radar data collected in a compact range on a scaled satellite model, are used to evaluate the technique.