First Results of Attitude Estimation Using RCS Time Series for Space Domain Awareness

This paper presents the first results of a novel approach for estimating the attitude of tumbling targets by utilizing radar cross section (RCS) time series data from monostatic and bistatic radar systems. For man-made space objects, we propose the use of target models to simulate RCS time series and compare them with the radar data collections. This comparison of synthesized and measured RCS time series resolves ambiguities in unknown model estimates and enables the estimation of the object's attitude. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated using real data collected from the intercontinental Long Baseline Bistatic Radar (LBBR) systems. Due to its simplicity, this method can be easily applied in the fields of tumbling behavior analysis and non-cooperative malfunctioning satellite assessments.