BRIN Prepares Large Telescope For Satellite Observation

The Timau National Observatory is located on Mount Timau, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. (ANTARA/HO-BRIN.)

JAKARTA - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is entering the completion stage of the construction of a giant telescope measuring 3.8 meters in mirror diameter at the Timau National Observatory, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, which could potentially be used to observe satellites.

Timau National Observatory Coordinator BRIN Abdul Rachman said satellite as a man-made object is important to observe because it relates to the issue of space debris which is an international issue and is discussed by the United Nations every year.

"The issue of space debris is very important because this garbage cannot be controlled. So, it could hit a satellite that is still actively working, and result in damage that could be fatal," Abdul said in his statement in Jakarta, Antara, Sunday, October 13.

Furthermore, he explained that BRIN had been observing satellites with relatively small telescopes, the largest with a mirror diameter of 50 centimeters.

According to him, satellite observations need to be made to help if there is a problem with an active satellite operating, which causes it to be unable to communicate with a control station on earth, including when an unexpected event occurs.

Abdul said that the observational and analysis techniques that have long been known in astronomical observations are astrometric, photometry, and spectroscopy. These three techniques have also been used in satellite observations and space debris.

"Astronomic telescopes for satellite observations need to have a fairly high sliding rate or moving speed. This is because satellites and their waste are classified as fast moving objects whose speed of motion in the sky can be many times the motion of the star," he said.

Researchers at the BRIN Space Research Center have been observing satellites with telescopes since 2022. This is done either through astrometric observations to determine or improve satellite orbits or photometry to determine the brightness and characteristics of satellite attitudes.

Rotating satellites (tumbling) generally occur in satellites that have ended their operating period so that they become garbage. The characteristics of this attitude include the direction of the rotation axis and its rate. This information is needed in an effort to mitigate the impact of space debris," said Abdul.