Laser requirements on active tracking

Abstract

In this paper, we will review the requirements on laser power and beam quality for active tracking of missiles and satellites. We will compare the cases of solar illumination and laser illumination from a theoretical and also simulation standpoint, and we will show results obtained from Starfire Optical Range and White Sands Missile Range using active tracking lasers. The potential benefits for active tracking include full sky coverage for orbiting debris, laser ranging for ephemeris updating, and precision tracking for boosting missiles. Other aspects of the laser requirements will also be presented, including the impacts of speckle and jitter coupling.