Characterization of Axisymmetric Rigid Bodies from Lightcurves via L₁ Norm Minimization

In recent times, there has been an increase in activities within the space environment, and it is expected that the region will experience substantial object population growth in the coming decades. Estimating the shape and attitude of space objects is crucial for space situational awareness. In this work, we propose a novel approach utilizing the lightcurve measured from optical observations to estimate the angular velocity of space objects. Particularly, this work will generate a dictionary of simulated lightcurves and then find a sparse approximation using L₁ norm minimization to isolate the most vital basis functions, from which characteristics of an object can be classified. The proposed approach holds significant potential for improving our understanding of space object dynamics and contributing to enhanced space situational awareness. It offers a valuable tool for estimating the shape, angular velocity, and axis of rotation of space objects based solely on optical observations, paving the way for improved tracking, collision avoidance, and overall space traffic management.