Determination of the Artificial Space Objects Speed Using the Incoherent Scatter Radars

The technique for measuring the parameters of the trajectory of space objects (spacecraft and space debris) using the incoherent scatter radar is proposed. These measurements are carried out simultaneously with the measurement of the ionosphere parameters by the incoherent scatter method. The technique consists in receiving the coherent signal reflected from space object against a background of weak noise and incoherent scatter signal; analog-to-digital conversion of the signal at an intermediate frequency with the extraction of digital samples that are in quadrature dependence; determining the distance to the object (its height); calculating the vertical and horizontal components of the space object speed (using the Doppler Effect and the measured duration of the presence of the moving object in the antenna beam, respectively). The results of testing the proposed technique by the incoherent scatter radar of Institute of Ionosphere during the measuring ionospheric parameters are presented.