Range-Doppler Mapping of Space-Based Targets Using the JRO 50 MHz Radar

S. Kesaraju, J. D. Mathews, M. Milla, J. Vierinen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Jicamarca Radio Observatory (JRO) two-dimensional square array radar system operating at ~ 6-m wavelength was used to study the Moon and low Earth orbit satellites using the Range-Doppler inverse synthetic aperture radar technique also known as Delay-Doppler imaging. The radar data was collected on Oct 21, 2015. A circularly polarized coded pulse was transmitted from a quarter-array antenna segment during lunar transit over JRO. Dual-linear polarization receive systems were employed on two quarter-array segments and on two 1/64th array modules giving the longest possible baselines across the transit path. A Range-Doppler mapping technique that uses the rotational motion of the targets and an autofocusing motion and ionospheric delay compensation technique has been implemented to generate the two-dimensional maps of the point-target (Satellite) and range-spread target (Moon). A review of our technique and the maps obtained from these observations is presented herein. Range-Doppler maps of the Moon and satellites are instructive with regards to possible further improvement of the technique, especially regarding ionospheric compensation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)169-188
Number of pages20
JournalEarth, Moon and Planets
Volume120
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Space and Planetary Science

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