PASO - Astronomy and Space Situational Awareness in a Dark Sky Destination
Barbosa , D.
; Coelho, B.
; Bergano , MB
; Correia, A. C.
; Maia, D.
; Gonçalves, L.
; Alves, C.
; Morgado, J. B.
; Ribeiro, V.
PASO - Astronomy and Space Situational Awareness in a Dark Sky Destination, Proc International Astronomical Union IAUS385 Symposium on Astronomy and Satellite Constellations: Pathways Forward IAU S385, London, United Kingdom, Vol. , pp. - , October, 2023.
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Abstract
The Pampilhosa da Serra Space Observatory (PASO) is located in the center of the continental Portuguese territory, in the heart of a certified Dark Sky destination by the Starlight Foundation (Aldeias do Xisto). PASO advanced Space Situational Awareness (SSA) activities and infrastructure host part of Portuguese Space Surveillance & Tracking (SST) network, such as the rAdio TeLescope pAmpilhosa Serra (ATLAS) currently in test phase, and a double Wide Field of View Telescope system (4.3° x 2.3°). These instruments are complemented by an already installed deployable optical sensor telescope for MEO and GEO surveillance. The tracking radar will track space debris in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) up to 1000 km and at the same time the telescope will also have LEO tracking capabilities offering spectroscopy capabilities enabling light curve analysis. Space Weather will be monitored by a radioheliospectrograph to scan continuously solar coronal activities.