Research
The region provides a key vantage point for the global network of near space observation of satellites and space debris. This opens up an entirely near research area for local organisations, and to develop global partnerships. Research projects will go beyond the satellite and space debris monitoring, and will include observatory technologies such as dome design and control, as well as next-generation materials for satellites debris reduction.
Areas of Focus
Optical Tracking of Satellites and Debris
Research into the detection and tracking of space debris for collision avoidance, as well as optical tracking of satellites for the study of orbital dynamics, is aided by:
· Large Field Array Telescope – Motorised telescope array covers high altitude whole sky for GEO debris
· Larger
follow-up telescope for precise tracking and photometry
Satellites
ID 38098: INTELSAT 22 (Perigee: 35,781.9 km; Apogee: 35,805.4 km) is an International Telecommunications Satellite in the GEO with a cross section of 1.7 m2 launched on 25 March 2012.
ID 20203: USA 44 (Perigee: 36,053.3 km; Apogee: 36,185.5 km) is a US military satellite launched on 4 September 1989.
Space Debris
ID 25662: BLOCK DM-SL R/B (Perigee: 593.4 km; Apogee: 35,967.4 km) is a rocket body with a cross section of 22 m2 launched on 28 March 1999.
ID 41383: ARIANE 5 R/B (Perigee: 216.7 km; Apogee: 31,229.9 km) is a rocket body launched on 9 March 2016 from French Guiana.
The Celestial South Pole is the southern imaginary point in the sky where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects the celestial sphere. Sigma Octantis is more than 1 degree from the pole.
As one of the Milky Way's nearest neighbouring galaxies, the SMC is a dwarf galaxy spanning 7 000 light-years in diameter, at an intergalactic distance of about 200 000 light-years.
The LMC is a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way at an intergalactic distance of about 163 000 light-years. It is about 14 000 light-years in diameter (~1 % the size of the Milky Way).
Atmospheric Entry of Meteoroids
The behaviour of meteoroids entering the atmosphere and their impact on the population includes trajectory analysis, fragmentation and ablation, the latter involving atmospheric drag under hypervelocity.
Of special interest is the break-up during atmospheric impact, involving research into energy absorption capacity and fracture of meteoroids.
Research into trajectory and fragmentation analysis is aided by the meteor detection camera systems. The first Meteor Detection cameras under the Global Meteor Network (GMN) in Africa were set up at the Bonnievale Space Object Optical Tracking Station: ZA0001, ZA0002 and ZA0003. Other similar cameras have emerged over time in the nearby regions, leading to cooperation between the different monitory stations for the detection and trajectory analysis of fireballs.
An Allsky Fireball Network in the Western Cape (based on the Allsky7 Meteor Camera System) comprising of 5 stations (located in Bonnievale, Houwteq/Grabouw, Stellenbosch, Worcester and Porterville) will enable advanced detection and post detection analysis of meteors, using multi-station Line-of-Site trajectory analysis, as well as light curve analysis (LCA) for meteor fragmentation studies.
1. Global Meteor Network
Meteor path across the Western Cape, descending from altitude 132 km to 70 km in 3.17 seconds, captured by GMN camera ZA0002 on 11 February 2024.
2. AllSky7 Fireball Network
