Study of the character of the time dependence of the ratio of signals in the IR and visible channels of a radiometric apparatus when fragments of space junk are observed

摘要

A more accurate expression is derived for determining the specific load of fragments of space junk via the time dependence of the ratio of signals in the IR and visible channels of on-board radiometric observation apparatus. Results are presented of a calculation of the time behavior of this ratio when aluminum and plastic debris is observed on near-earth orbits. The cases considered here involve constant heating of the debris by solar radiation and the variation of this heating according to a harmonic law because the debris rotates around its center of mass. (C) 2006 Optical Society of America.