Faculty of Mathematics, Physics
and Informatics
Comenius University Bratislava

Improvement of European capabilities for LEO objects tracking with optical passive sensors

The main aim of the project is to improve the 0.7-meter telescope system installed at the Astronomical and Geophysical Observatory in Modra, Slovakia (AGO) towards the astrometric and photometric measurements acquisition and processing.


25. 02. 2020 12.10 hod.
By: Jiří Šilha

Principal investigator: Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Mathematics Physics and informatics - Mgr. Jiří Šilha, PhD., Ing. Pavol Zigo, PhD., doc. RNDr. Juraj Tóth, PhD., doc. RNDr. Leonard Kornoš, PhD., Jaroslav Šimon, Mgr. Matej Zigo
Cooperating investigators: TILA s.r.o., Slovensko – Mgr. Stanislav Krajčovič, Bc. Martin Maco; Universität Bern, Astronomisches Institut, Švajčiarsko - prof. Dr. Thomas Shildknecht, Dr. Emiliano Cordelli; Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Rakúsko – Dr. Michael Steindorfer, Dr. Georg Kichner, Franz Koidl
Project funding: European Space Agency, ESA Contract No. 4000126272/18/NL/NDe
Project duration: 2019-2021 

The main aim of the project is to improve the 0.7-meter telescope system installed at the Astronomical and Geophysical Observatory in Modra, Slovakia (AGO) towards the astrometric and photometric measurements acquisition and processing. Focus is on observations of space debris situated on Low Earth Orbits (LEO), orbits with mean altitudes above the Earth surface below 2000 km, to support the tracking of these objects by the Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) stations. Technical objective is to improve the hardware and software of the 0.7m telescope to provide the real time improvement of Two-Line Elements (TLEs) set, astrometric positions and light curves. Establish need to be the interfaces between 0.7-meter telescope and the European SLR stations. The improved system’s capability will be demonstrated during extensive observation campaign in cooperation with international partners.