Abstract

Subject of study. The algorithm for correcting the jitter of images of low-observable space objects of natural and artificial origin in the focal plane of ground-based large-aperture optoelectronic surveillance systems was investigated. The algorithm is based on minimizing the dispersion of the fluctuation of a read-out position of a space object with respect to the measured instantaneous position of a laser guide star. Aim of study. The study aimed to determine the dispersion of uncompensated (residual) errors of the shift of space object images in the telescope image plane. Method. Expressions for the dispersions of the fluctuations of images of laser guide stars and space objects are written in terms of the spatial coherence radii of the atmosphere (Fried radii) for spherical and plane waves. Dispersion of uncompensated (residual) fluctuations of the position of space object images in the focal plane of a telescope is estimated using the obtained expressions for the coefficient of the angular cross-correlation of random values of the position of images of a laser guide star and space object assuming that they are Gaussian values with zero mathematical expectations. An expression for determining the normalized value of the measured amplitude of the jitter of the position of laser guide star images in the telescope image plane with respect to the amplitude of the jitter of the space object position is presented. Main results. Numerical calculations of normalized values of the dispersions of uncompensated (residual) fluctuations of the position of space object images in the focal plane of a telescope, the coefficients of the angular cross-correlation of random values of the positions of laser guide stars and space objects, and the normalized value of the measured amplitude of the fluctuations of the position of laser guide star images with respect to the amplitude of the jitter of the position of the space object image are calculated based on the obtained expressions. Practical significance. The obtained results can be used for the synthesis of large-aperture optoelectronic systems for surveillance of small space objects of natural and artificial origin. They also enable assessment of the effectiveness of monostatic and other formation schemes of a laser guide star to correct the jitter of images of low-observable space objects based on the measurement of the spatial coherence radius of the atmosphere during experiments.

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