ESA P3-NEO-XXII-TN2: NEO Observation Concepts for Radar Systems - Technical Note 2

Abstract

Technical Note 2 is a deliverable of the ESA project SSA-P3-NEO-XXII and it concerns the Work Package 2000 (WP2000): “Available Radar Assets for Performing NEO Observations”. The WP2000 is dedicated to the study of potential NEOs and ground stations to be involved, focusing on European and ESA stations, including radar, satellite tracking, radio astronomy, and possibly suggesting areas of upgrade. The WP2000 is divided into the sub-packages: - WP2100: NEO Population Analysis for Radar Observations. To identify which NEOs could be observed by a ground-based radar system, according to the probability distribution of NEOs size and distance from Earth. - WP2200: Radar Systems for NEO Observations. To identify a list of ground stations that could be used or upgraded for NEO observations, typically radars, satellite tracking and radio astronomy stations, focusing on European and ESA ground stations, but including also non-European/non-ESA ones. - WP2300: Performances and Possible Improvements. To summarize the main characteristics of the stations identified in the previous items, assessing possible areas of upgrade (e.g. possible new bistatic applications, best frequency bands, etc.); to derive a radar budget in terms of observational strategies and possible upgrades, typically in bistatic mode, in order to be able to observe several NEOs per year, and possibly including a rough estimate of the upgrade complexity and costs.