The Center for Space Situational Awareness Research (CSSAR) provides cadets and faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy an education and research program in space situational awareness using world-class facilities and capabilities.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Small aperture optical telescopes for satellite characterization
Non-imaging photometric, spectral and polarimetric techniques for characterization of un-resolved space objects.
Data fusion and modeling
MAJOR PROJECTS
Development of the Academy’s global Falcon Telescope Network
Spectral measurements of solar panel glints from geosynchronous satellites
Two-channel polarimetry to determine horizontal/vertical polarization states from un-resolved satellite optical signatures
Long-term photometric observations of inactive geosynchronous satellites for debris monitoring
