OPTICAL FACILITIES FOR SPACE OBJECT
OBSERVATIONS
SPACE CONTROL AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM (UKRAINE)
V. Lopachenko
The Space Control and Analysis System obtains data both from the optical facilities that
belong to the various subdivisions of the National Space Agency of Ukraine, and from the
external organizations that have contracts for spacecraft observations.
The Space Control and Analysis System receives data directly from the following
instruments: AZT-28, AZT-8 (Evpatoria) and AZT-28 (Dunaevtsy). The AZT-28 telescopes
have been recovered and modified in the past 5 years. It’s possible to capture and track space
objects using even rough pointing data thanks to the specially developed tracking algorithms.
The algorithm of the given segment scanning has been developed for the calculation of the
GEO positions. These algorithms are successfully used for tracking the spacecraft in
emergencies, for initial spacecraft tracking based on radar measurements, and for the annual
surveys of the GEO region. During periods of the vernal equinox survey, observations of the
GEO regionhave accomplished: 364 GEO tracks were obtained in 2004 and 187 GEO tracks
were obtained in 2005. The set of equipment and software was designed for obtaining the
photometric information on the basis of the AZT-28 telescope (Evpatoria). Joint spacecraft
observations were carried out with the scientific and technical cooperation of the
observatories in Odessa and L’vov. The program for photometry data processing is under
development.
Measurements of selected space objects have been carried out by means of AZT-8.
Currently the rotation unit has been mechanically recovered. The telescope has been equipped
with CCD-cameras, and a data control and read-out system. This instrument is planned to be
used for tracking space objects of low brightness and small angular motion velocities.