The Earth rotation effect on a LEO L-band GMTI SBR and mitigation strategies

Abstract

Space based radars (SBR) have been used to accomplish a number of civilian and military missions. Most recently, SBR concepts have been considered to perform ground moving target indication (GMTI) radar modes. Unlike airborne surveillance platforms, SBR clutter returns are affected by the high satellite velocity and Earth rotation. The phenomenology of the Earth's rotation, and its impact on clutter Doppler returns, are discussed for a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) L-band radar concept. The USA Air Force's Research Laboratory Space Time Adaptive Processing Tool (RLSTAP) high fidelity radar modeling tool is used to provide simulated data in order to demonstrate the Earth rotation effects, and resulting clutter rejection impact on slow moving target detection.