System models used to support a space-based telescope design for discovery of near Earth objects

Abstract

In this paper we investigate the effects of several key system parameters related to development of a space-based observatory for discovering near-earth objects (NEOs). The space-based mission is seen as complementary to ground-based observations for identifying objects with the potential to impact the Earth. A system model is developed from an articial data set of 1218 NEOs with initial orbital elements generated from a probability distribution model similar to that incorporated in the NASA NEO Science Definition Team Report. By running the model over a 7 year period, the statistics of NEO detection can be investigated as a function of changes to telescope parameters. This paper discusses the system model development of orbital models, radiometric calculations and some initial results from parameter studies on the engineering design.