Photopolarimetric measurements of geosynchronous satellites

Darryl J. Sanchez; Stephen A. Gregory; Susan L. Storm; Tamara E.W. Payne; Carol K. Davis

doi:10.1117/12.455429

27 December 2001 Photopolarimetric measurements of geosynchronous satellites

Darryl J. Sanchez, Stephen A. Gregory, Susan L. Storm, Tamara E.W. Payne, Carol K. Davis

Proceedings Volume 4490, Multifrequency Electronic/Photonic Devices and Systems for Dual-Use Applications; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.455429
Event: International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, 2001, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

This is the fourth paper in a continuing study on the standard photometric signatures of geosynchronous earth orbit, GEO, communication satellites. Here we present the results of photopolarimetric measurements taken at the Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate's Starfire Optical Range.. These limited set of measurements were conducted in order to determine if GEO communication satellites have measurable polarization, and is so, if there are differences between the satellites. Measurable polarization was detected. This polarization was seen throughout the night varying smoothly from a minimum at local midnight, approximately 10%, to a maximum at dawn of approximately 40%. This is distinctly different from the radiometric signals which is a maximum at local midnight and decreases toward dawn and dusk. This polarization is found to be distinct for each GEO satellite bus. Also, serendipidously it is found that when measuring through cirrus clouds, the photopolarimetric signal is not lost, although it is changed.

Citation Download Citation

Darryl J. Sanchez, Stephen A. Gregory, Susan L. Storm, Tamara E.W. Payne, and Carol K. Davis "Photopolarimetric measurements of geosynchronous satellites", Proc. SPIE 4490, Multifrequency Electronic/Photonic Devices and Systems for Dual-Use Applications, (27 December 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.455429

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available