Using radar beam-parks to characterize the Kosmos-1408 fragmentation event

Abstract

We describe the use of radar beam-park experiments to characterize the space debris resulting from a recent fragmentation event, the deliberate demolition of the defunct Kosmos-1408 satellite. We identify the Kosmos-1408 fragments and present distribution of measurement parameters as well as proxy orbit parameters. We present and apply a novel technique to estimate the size of objects by matching the signal to noise ratio of the detection to the radiation pattern of the radar. With this method we estimate the size distribution of the debris cloud. We also demonstrate how a pair of beam-park observations can be used to perform a crude, yet seemingly reliable, initial orbit determination. Finally, we present followup observations 5 months after the fragmentation that show a still compact cloud of debris.