Search for enhanced scatter from plasma waves with space objects in orbit the JRO VHF radar

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Bernhardt, P.A. and Eliasson, B.E. and Scales, W.A. and Huba, J.D.; (2025) Search for enhanced scatter from plasma waves with space objects in orbit the JRO VHF radar. In: 2025 International Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications (ICEAA). 2025 International Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications (ICEAA) . IEEE, ITA, pp. 1259-1261. ISBN 979-8-3315-4472-0 (https://doi.org/10.1109/iceaa65662.2025.11306008)

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Abstract

The Jicamarca Radio Observatory (JRO) main 49.9-MHz array antenna radar system with multiple receivers is being used to study satellite and space debris echoes via both full array and subarray interferometric receiving modes. Recent work for Space Object Identification with Measurements of Orbit Drive Waves (SOIMOW), using in situ observations and computer simulations, has shown that charged space objects crossing Earth's magnetic field in an ambient plasma always produces lower hybrid waves. These waves can couple into whistler mode waves for remote detection with ground VLF receivers near the foot of magnetic field lines connected to the object. In addition, scatter from LH waves near the target may enhance the radar cross section (RCS) above the Rayleigh scatter value of objects with diameters less than 10 cm, making them easier to detect. After VHF radar detection with Bragg scatter from LH plasma irregularities, the object state vector can be estimated from Doppler and range-time measurements. This would allow avoidance of currently unknown debris in low earth orbit to prevent damage to operational satellites. The SOIMOW technique is being tested with observations of a priori known satellites that pass through the main lobe of the Jicamarca VHF radar.

ORCID iDs

Bernhardt, P.A., Eliasson, B.E. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6039-1574, Scales, W.A. and Huba, J.D.;
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