Autonomous robotic telescope system

A worldwide network of Autonomous Robotic Telescope Systems (ARTS) tracks and analyzes space objects (satellites, shuttle, space debris, etc.) and astronomical objects (asteroids, comets, supernovas, etc.), and includes the ability to automatically schedule observations using remote, programmable or Internet controllable information networks. The system works with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) items that include telescopes, mounts, cameras (e.g. CCD), software and computers. The telescope systems operate autonomously and remotely over Internet lines. Automatic scheduling is achieved by programming the slave telescope control computer. Satellite propagators and two line elements necessary for satellite tracking are provided on several Internet sites. Strategically placing these small portable telescope systems around the world enables users to acquire worldwide space object coverage and to be geographically diverse. This is also a cost effective way to provide necessary data to users.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exists a heightened concern and awareness of space objects (manmade and astronomical) within the space surveillance sector due to the increase in satellite launches by large telecommunications corporations and the International Space Station (ISS). Corporations are spending billions of dollars in launching satellites and need status information in monitoring the “health” of their assets. There is also an increased concern in asteroid/comet follow-up observations by the astronomical community. Large telescopes (e.g. SpaceWatch) are discovering hundreds of asteroids nightly, but need follow-up observations to consistently and accurately determine their orbital elements, especially those of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHA).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Operation of a worldwide network of Autonomous Robotic Telescope Systems (ARTS) tracks and analyzes space objects (satellites, shuttle, space debris, etc.) and astronomical objects (asteroids, comets, supernovas, etc.), and includes the ability to automatically schedule observations using remote, programmable or Internet controllable information networks.

The inventive system works with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) items that include telescopes, mounts, cameras (e.g. CCD), software and computers. The inventive telescope systems have the capability to operate autonomously and remotely over Internet lines. Automatic scheduling is achieved by programming the slave telescope control computer. Satellite propagators and two line elements necessary for satellite tracking are available on several Internet sites.

Strategically placing these small portable telescope systems around the world enables users to acquire worldwide space object coverage and to be geographically diverse. This is also a cost-effective way to provide the necessary data to users.

The invention uses COTS products. Currently no worldwide network of operational systems is known to exist.

The invention significantly reduces manpower, time, cost and resources required for manual observations.

The invention monitors the status of increased commercial space objects, including that associated with the International Space Station, and helps the astronomical community with projects that are labeled “mundane” but important to the overall vision of astronomy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown inFIG. 1, a preferred autonomous robotic telescope system1uses interconnections on the web3. Telescope systems5operate autonomously and remotely, being controlled by remote local slave-computers7,8, and providing information over the web3. Automatic scheduling is achieved by programming the telescope control by the slave-computers7which are remotely programmable. Satellite antennas10and propagators and/or two-line elements11are provided for satellite tracking and are available on several web sites. The slave-computer controlled telescopes13are positioned by computer-controlled positioners15, and cameras17are controlled by the remote control computers8. A master server21controls the slave-computers7,8, the remote telescope systems5, the satellite antennas10, and trackers9. The master server21coordinates all of the remote telescope systems5and accepts new information from satellite propagators11, all in real-time. User information sites26subscribe to the master server21and users24receive directed health reports of their assets.

As shown inFIGS. 1-2, a preferred system includes strategically placing the small portable telescope systems5around the world which enables users24to acquire worldwide space object coverage and to be geographically diverse. The system1is a cost effective way to provide necessary data to users24. The system1tracks and analyzes space objects25, such as satellites27, shuttles29, space debris31and astronomical objects33, such as, but not limited to, asteroids, comets and supernovas. The master server21automatically schedules observations by the remote telescope systems5and satellite trackers9using the remotely programmable controller slave-computers7connected together over the web or through web controllable networks at remote sites23.

As seen inFIG. 2, for an object of interest to be located in, for example, capture site x, the telescope13in one of the systems5is activated so that it reviews its field of view range F and gathers information about the object. The system allows space surveillance and increases the safety and effectiveness of satellite launches, and provides continuing status information in monitoring health of their satellite assets for users. The system1also provides follow-up observations by the remote telescope systems5, which are preferably preassembled and transported to remote locations around the world to provide follow-up observations of known and newly discovered asteroids to accurately determine their orbital elements.

As shown inFIG. 3, a preferred process using the ARTS system includes, for example, a customer35initiating a query about a space object. The customer logs on37to ARTS and submits39a request for information of space object(s). Once the customer starts41the ARTS system43a series of autonomous and automatic activities61in real-time are set in motion. The ARTS central computer21processes the request43and retrieves45from its database information relating to the requested object by scheduling and tasking47the remote site computer8to image the object of interest. The system processes the retrieved information, matches it with the requested parameters49and provides shipping order to send the information to the customer.

When the ARTS system is activated43, it communicates51with remote site actions53to activate and set in motion the required process(es) for retrieving information of the object of interest. These processes may include, for example tasking the antenna mechanism55to move a particular telescope5to hone-in on the object of interest; the camera is activated to image the object57. Once captured by the telescope, the remote control computing device processes the image from the camera and ships the image and related information59to the ARTS command system. The system then relays that information to the customer, after processing as mentioned earlier.