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SatelliteTrackers

Posted on Sunday, March 27th, 2022

A Stable Satellite Tracking System for Laser Satellite to Ground Optical Communication

Client National Research Council Canada (NRC)
Professor(s) Dr. Wahab Almuhtadi,
Program Bachelor’s of Information Technology – Optical Systems and Sensors
Students Project Lead: Jake Labelle
Programming Lead: Aaron George
Research and Data Analysis Lead: Sereen Yasin

Project Description:

Right now, remote internet access is provided via satellite constellations that rely on microwave signals from satellite to ground connections. The next generation of satellite constellations will implement an optical satellite tracking system that points at satellites mid-trajectory with impeccable precision.
The SatelliteTrackers project aims to utilize current TLE data directly from Celestrak to provide accurate, real-time orbital positions of satellites, along with auto-alignment features, centroid computation, and satellite sorting algorithms compiled into a Python code to achieve the objective.
The project will use a modified TLE orbital position script that gives the right ascension and declination values of the selected satellite approximately 60 seconds ahead of the current time, allowing the telescope to be in line with the trajectory but remain ahead of the satellite for the highest accuracy.
At this point the code can compute a slope of the satellite’s movement. ASCOM commands, Skyfield Library, and T.MoveAxis are used to control the mount for the highest precision pointing.
One concept that allows the program to be accurate is the consideration of the perspective of the telescope, in that it will seem as if the satellite is moving fast directly above the telescope but slowing down towards the horizon. For this reason, the slope will constantly need to be updated to ensure the tracking is stable. The satellites are considered in view if they are more than 10 degrees above the horizon. Running this code and studying results based on the real-time tracking done via Stellarium yielded accurate results.
The user will have the chance to choose specific satellites to track and a switch-case can be implemented to allow for the accurate tracking of the desired satellite.

The project is capable of executing tracking features and adjusting the connected hardware seamlessly, with movement at 4 degrees per second and precise pointing. The SatelliteTracker is capable of tracking and imaging moving satellites with a field of view within 2 degrees, which is very accurate for this new technology.
The SatelliteTrackers system can be used outdoors with any imaging device (from cellphones to professional guide cameras), or it can be used in conjunction with the Stellarium virtual planetarium should weather conditions not allow for optimal visibility.

Short Description:

Satellite tracking system for laser satellites that will be eventually used to replace the traditional microwave signal-based satellite constellations

Contact the Team

Video Presentation

Gallery

image of the telescope that the final version of the project will be tested and completed on. this is the full sized dome telescope currently located at the NRC. this telescope is placed on the roof and has faster movements and less limitations than the average telescope and better magnification this is the exterior of the dome with the opening out of which the telescope will point. the domed portion is capable of rotating fast enough to track low earth orbit satellites at any time in their trajectory
this is an image of the telescope and guide camera the team has been consistently testing the project on. it is capable of moving at 4 degrees per second which gives us decent accuracy to determine what needs to be improved in the project this is an image of what the guide camera (attached to the telescope) has been able to capture using our hardware-software setup and auto movements following the selection of a satellite. the image shows a satellite and the surrounding stars.
this is an image of the menu that comes up when the user runs the program. it is shown asking the user to select a satellite and once found, it displays the TLE data of the satellite this is an image of what is shown when the user has inputted their selected satellite along with an indication that the satellite is being tracked and information about its orbital position.

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