Aperture photometry was performed on images (from the SuperWASP instrument) of the 19.2∘E geostationary Astras satellite constellation over 5 nights to form light curves and predict model and movement parameters of the satellites. The 1KR satellite is observed to have two peaks, 90∘ out of phase indicating rotating wings, while satellite 1M is predicted to have shadowing due to dips in its light curve or a single wing design due to a single major peak. All satellites have peak magnitudes at the minimum sun phase angle 28∘ as expected. The developed methods and results serve a precursor to developing methods to address the ultimate goal of geostationary debris profiling.
@article{arxiv.1910.10847,
title = {Precursor Photometric Study of Astras Satellite Cluster 19.2$^\circ$ E for Geostationary Debris Profiling},
author = {Toyaj Singh},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1910.10847},
year = {2019}
}