PROJECT

The application of the forward scatter radar method for the detection of space objects (FSR) 

Project Title: “The application of the forward scatter radar method for the detection of space objects”


Project No.: lzp-2020/2-0101


Project Acronym: FSR


Programme: Latvian Council of Science Grant


Project Applicant: Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, Engineering Research Institute “Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre”


Scientific Project Leader: Leading Guest Researcher Nikolai Dugin (RUS)


Project Implementation Period: 01.12.2020 – 31.12.2021 (13 months)


Brief qualitative description and objective of the project

The objective of the project is to develop a methodology which, by combining the radio wave scattering effect with radar VLBI technology, would be capable of detecting asteroids, comets, and space debris approaching Earth in near-Earth space.

  1. Research of the radio wave scattering effect based on the observation results of asteroids, comets, and space debris;
  2. Development of a new methodology by combining multi-position radar-VLBI methods and bistatic positioning methods, supplementing them with the scattering effect method and applying data processing techniques;
  3. Calibration of the VLBI complex using both natural radio sources and artificial high-orbit satellites;
  4. Testing of the developed methodology in interplanetary space observations, selecting interplanetary probes (for example, ExoMars and MarsExpress) and space stations located at Lagrange points (for example, Spektr-RG and Gaia) as observation targets.
     Development of guidelines for the creation of a ground-based bistatic radar system, including recommendations for the optimization of operating frequencies, a list of available ground-based radars, and potentially observable space objects for system verification.

Project results:

  • One scientific article indexed in Scopus or Web of Science databases;
  • One anonymously peer-reviewed scientific article;
  • Developed technology prototype including the methodology;
  • Prepared new project proposal;
  • Successfully defended Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis;
  • Policy development report;
  • Set of radio astronomical data and protocols;
  • Participation in a Conference.


Project funding: EUR 100 389.00, consisting of

  • Direct costs: EUR 83 658.00
  • Indirect costs: EUR 16 731.00


Contacts:

Project leader for scientific matters – Nikolai Dugin, ndugin@yandex.ru

Project leader for administrative matters – Ieva Kozlova, ieva.kozlova@venta.lv