Practical implementation of the spectrogram-inverse Radon transform based algorithm for resident space objects parameter estimation

The increasing number of space objects represents a serious hazard for orbital space-based systems and human activities in space. Space object catalogues must be created and maintained in order to guarantee the safety of outer space activities. Space objects parameters must be estimated in order to characterise such objects. This study reports on the results achieved by running an experimental test conducted with a K-band frequency-modulated continuous-wave radar. The objective of this test is to determine the capability of the radar of estimating size and spin rate of the observed object. The feature estimation is performed with the spectrogram – inverse Radon transform-based algorithm. This test has been conducted using a programmable rotating platform on which the objects were placed. The experimental results have confirmed that this technique can be effectively used for spinning space debris characterisation.