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Accepted manuscript

Enhanced detection and identification of satellites using an all-sky multi-frequency survey with prototype SKA-Low stations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 December 2024

D. Grigg*
Affiliation:
International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia DUG Technology, 76 Kings Park Rd, West Perth, 6005, WA, Australia
S. J. Tingay
Affiliation:
International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
S. Prabu
Affiliation:
International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
M. Sokolowski
Affiliation:
International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
B. Indermuehle
Affiliation:
CSIRO Space & Astronomy, PO Box 76, Epping, NSW, 1710, Australia
*
Author for correspondence: Grigg, D, Email: dylan.grigg@icrar.org.
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Abstract

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With the low Earth orbit environment becoming increasingly populated with artificial satellites, rockets, and debris, it is important to understand the effects they have on radio astronomy. In this work, we undertake a multi-frequency, multi-epoch survey with two SKA-Low station prototypes located at the SKA-Low site, to identify and characterise radio frequency emission from orbiting objects and consider their impact on radio astronomy observations. We identified 152 unique satellites across multiple passes in low and medium Earth orbits from 1.6 million full-sky images across 13 selected ≈ 1 MHz frequency bands in the SKA-Low frequency range, acquired over almost 20 days of data collection. Our algorithms significantly reduce the rate of satellite misidentification, compared to previous work, validated through simulations to be < 1%. Notably, multiple satellites were detected transmitting unintended electromagnetic radiation, as well as several decommissioned satellites likely transmitting when the Sun illuminates their solar panels. We test alternative methods of processing data, which will be deployed for a larger, more systematic survey at SKA-Low frequencies in the near future. The current work establishes a baseline for monitoring satellite transmissions, which will be repeated in future years to assess their evolving impact on radio astronomy observations.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Astronomical Society of Australia