Session
Pre-Conference Workshop Session VI: Advanced Concepts III
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
By integrating a low-cost passive radar retro-reflector, spacecraft in the 1U size range may be more easily detected and tracked in low-earth orbit using terrestrial assets. Retro-reflector prototypes described in this paper utilize a novel antenna design and maintain a consistent radar cross section of a small satellite at all aspect angles. No power is required to operate these retro-reflectors aboard the spacecraft and integration requirements are minimal.
Nanosatellite Tracking using Passive Radar Retro-reflectors
Utah State University, Logan, UT
By integrating a low-cost passive radar retro-reflector, spacecraft in the 1U size range may be more easily detected and tracked in low-earth orbit using terrestrial assets. Retro-reflector prototypes described in this paper utilize a novel antenna design and maintain a consistent radar cross section of a small satellite at all aspect angles. No power is required to operate these retro-reflectors aboard the spacecraft and integration requirements are minimal.
