Analysis of Unresolved Spectral Infrared Signature for the Extraction of Invariant Features

摘要

This paper demonstrates a simple analytical technique for extraction of spectral radiance values for the solar panel and body from an unresolved spectral infrared signature of 3-axis stabilized low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites. It uses data collected by The Aerospace Corporation's Broad-band Array Spectrograph System (BASS) instrument at the Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing (AMOS) site. The observation conditions were such that the signatures were due to the emissive phenomenology and contribution of earthshine was negligible. The analysis is based on a two-facet orientation model of the satellite. This model captures the basic, known behavior of the satellite body and its solar panels. One facet points to nadir and the second facet tracks the sun. The facet areas are unknown. Special conditions are determined on the basis of observational geometry that allows separation of the spectral radiance values of the solar panel and body. These values remain unchanged (i.e., are invariant) under steady illumination conditions even if the signature appears different from one observation to another. In addition, they provide information on the individual spectral makeup of the satellite solar panel and body materials.