Evaluation of the Naval Space surveillance fence performance using satellite laser ranging

An experiment is described in which the performance of the Naval Space Comm and Fence Receiver Suite is evaluated using satellite laser ranging. Fence measurement accuracy and precision is presently assessed based on cataloged orbits, which are not sufficiently accurate for rigorous calibration and t rend identification. Satellite laser ranging is a well-known high-precision data type, which can provide submeter reference positions routinely. Two m ethods of sensor evaluation are investigated. One is an ephemeris-based app roach, where a truth reference orbit is determined from laser ranging data from a number of different satellites at different altitudes. Fence-based r esiduals are then computed from this truth, The second is a geometric metho d, which computes satellite positions directly using ranging data and angle data from the telescope. A mathematical treatment of the geometric dilutio n of precision for both methods is included in the discussion, The overall experiment showed that the fence sensor suite is operating to within 14-17 times its noise floor of 10 mu rad at zenith, We believe that this is the m ost extensive measurement of the fence performance utilizing an external an d independent data type, and due to the precision of the data type, its ove rall response and error trends are identified.