Design of a Space-Borne Autonomous Infrared Tracking System

Complete characterization of the space environment in support of the United States' goal of Space Situational Awareness is not currently achievable. When confronted with recent increases in the deployment and miniaturization of microsatellites by numerous nations, the questions of foreign space capabilities are magnified. This study sought to determine the feasibility of and experimentally demonstrate a microsatellite capability to autonomously loiter about and track a target satellite. Var...