ABRIXAS, an Imaging Telescope for an X-ray All-Sky Survey in the 0.5-10 keV Band

Latest ABRIXAS news from FGAN

The Tracking and Imaging Radar (TIRA) of the Research Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques (FHR) at FGAN has measured several passages of ABRIXAS on 31.04., 08.06., and 11.06.1999. The TIRA system which is operated by the division Radar Techniques for Space Reconnaissance (RWA) consists of a narrowband tracking radar and a high resolution imaging radar supported by a large parabolic antenna with an aperture of 34 m.

The analysis of radar cross section signatures and series of highly resolved radar images with 25 cm resolution yields that ABRIXAS is rotating with a period of approximately 180 seconds. It is assumed that the axis of rotation is perpendicular to the solar panel. The orientation of the vector of rotation in space is the topic of further analysis.

The following sequence of six radar images shows the intrinsic motion of ABRIXAS for a time interval of 45 seconds (time step between images 9 seconds). To simplify analysis and interpretation a three dimensional wire grid model of ABRIXAS is added to the images.




Image information:

image  range [km]  range rate [km/s]  azimuth [Grad]  elevation [Grad]
1      1863        -6,1               228             11
2      1807        -6,1               227             12
3      1753        -6,0               227             13
4      1698        -5,9               226             14
5      1645        -5,9               225             15
6      1591        -5.8               224             16
 
 
Dr.-Ing. Christian Czeslik (FGAN): czeslik@fgan.de
last changed: 21-Jun-1999
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