Mobile telescope with large FOV for searching and tracking low-orbit micro-satellites and space debris

As more and more small satellites and debris appeare in low orbits, it presentes a big challenge to ground-based detecting and tracking techniques for those objects with fewer effective reflecting areas and high speeds. In this paper, the present status of detecting and tracking techniques for small objects in low orbit is analyzed. An automotive truck-based telescope with a large Field of View(FOV) is designed to search/track micro satellites and small debris. The optical system and system mount in the telescope are introduced and its working mode and data processing are described. Finally, it discusses searching and detection abilities of the proposed system. The obtained results show that the telescope has the capability to search 13.5 magnitude objects(5 cm object in diameter) at the 300 km altitude orbit. It can satisfy the requirements of searching and tracking micro satellites and small debris in low earth orbits.