A space Debris-Dedicated channel for the P-Band receiver of the Sardinia Radio Telescope: A detailed description and characterization

Giacomo Muntoni;Luca Schirru;Giorgio Montisci

;Tonino Pisanu;Giuseppe Valente;Pierluigi Ortu;Raimondo Concu;Andrea Melis;Enrico Urru;Andrea Saba;Francesco Gaudiomonte;Germano Bianchi

2020-01-01

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Abstract

Space debris (SD) is an important problem for space operations and a hot topic for space surveillance research. A structured network of radar sensors is available worldwide, offering vital information about debris status. Recently, the Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT), a 64-m dish located in Sardinia, Italy, was introduced in the European plan for SD monitoring. Because the SRT is devoted to radio astronomy applications and is not optimized for SD echo detection, the need for an SD-dedicated channel has emerged. In this article, we present a detailed description and characterization of the new P-band receiving chain for SRT's space debris-monitoring purposes. As a test of its capabilities, the new channel was used to detect the echoes that emanated from the Chinese space station Tiangong-1 when it reentered Earth's atmosphere on its latest mission.