StealthTransit is the first and only system for the mitigation of bright satellite impact on astronomy
The impact of bright Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites on astronomy has become the powerful challenge of our time.
Satellite mega-constellations damage pictures of the night sky taken using long exposure techniques, making it difficult to study the universe and search for dangerous asteroids.
Satellite mega-constellations damage pictures of the night sky taken using long exposure techniques, making it difficult to study the universe and search for dangerous asteroids.
ABOUT
The StealthTransit system provides reliable protection during observation both on professional and amateur telescopes.
StealthTransit works effectively on telescopes with a narrow-to-medium field of view
StealthTransit works effectively on telescopes with a narrow-to-medium field of view
Elements of the StealthTransit system Elements of the StealthTransit system
01. StealthTransit Shutter (Active shutter)
02. SSA (Space Situational Awareness) Connector
03. Bright Satellite Detector
04. StealthTransit Predictor Software
Elements of the StealthTransit System
PARTS OF SYSTEM
Complete StealthTransit System (3D Model) Complete StealthTransit System (3D Model)
01. Telescope (field of view: 22х22 arcminutes)
02. Bright Satellite Detector (field of view: 10х10 degrees)
03. Control Unit
04. StealthTransit Shutter (Active shutter, aperture: 80 mm)
05. Astronomical Camera
Complete StealthTransit System (3D Model)
demo-video
The StealthTransit system is designed to protect astronomical observations from the effects of bright LEO-satellites and other short-term optical interferences that enter the field of view.
Purpose
01
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The StealthTransit system is installed onto the telescope. It allows users to interrupt camera exposure while satellites transit through the telescope's field of view without changing the camera photosensor's mode of operation.
In this way, StealthTransit prevents sunlight reflected from the satellite from entering the camera's photosensor.
The StealthTransit system is intended for use with long exposure photography when interruption of exposure for fractions or units of seconds does not significantly affect overall exposure time or the quality of the resulting image.
The exposure is interrupted by means of StealthTransit's additional shutter, located in front of the telescope's camera, or by means of the telescope's own shutter if it is able to work autonomously from the sensor (performing short-term switching without interrupting the photosensor's integration mode).
The shutter closes and opens in response to commands from the control unit. The control unit receives satellite trajectory data through two channels:
1. From Space Situational Awareness (SSA) data through the SSA Connector
2. Observing and recognizing bright satellites using the telescope-detector
The detection of bright satellites, trajectory analysis and calculating their time of their entry and exit from the telescope's field of view are performed by the StealthTransit Predictor program.
In this way, StealthTransit prevents sunlight reflected from the satellite from entering the camera's photosensor.
The StealthTransit system is intended for use with long exposure photography when interruption of exposure for fractions or units of seconds does not significantly affect overall exposure time or the quality of the resulting image.
The exposure is interrupted by means of StealthTransit's additional shutter, located in front of the telescope's camera, or by means of the telescope's own shutter if it is able to work autonomously from the sensor (performing short-term switching without interrupting the photosensor's integration mode).
The shutter closes and opens in response to commands from the control unit. The control unit receives satellite trajectory data through two channels:
1. From Space Situational Awareness (SSA) data through the SSA Connector
2. Observing and recognizing bright satellites using the telescope-detector
The detection of bright satellites, trajectory analysis and calculating their time of their entry and exit from the telescope's field of view are performed by the StealthTransit Predictor program.
Principles of Operation
02
The StealthTransit system is designed to work on telescopes with a small and medium field of view of up to 1°. It is not intended for use on telescopes with a wide field of view of over 2° wide due to the fact that such a field can be subjected to continuous exposure from multiple bright satellites.
Recommended Use
03
StealthTransit Bright Satellite Detector (machine vision camera) works in tandem with ASA600 Telescope
Main Parameters
04
Prediction accuracy for satellite transit time through telescope field of view (entry and exit)
no more than 30 milliseconds
Satellite location prediction accuracy
no more than 2 arcminutes
Satellite detection field (detector field of view)
10°x10°
Brightness for detected satellites
no more than +6 stellar magnitude
Total time for detection, trajectory analysis and the calculation of satellite transit time
no more than 2 seconds
The length of satellite orbit needed for detection and calculation of satellite transit time
no more than 2°
StealthTransit Shutter (active shutter) prototype parameters
05
Type
Leaf shutter
Aperture
80 mm
Exposure non-uniformity
< 5 milliseconds
Dimensions
290 mm x 220 mm x 50 mm
Mass
4.6 kg
System prototype made for a telescope with a field of view of 22 arcmin × 22 arcmin
All you need to know about
bright satellite mitigation, active shuttering and the impact of LEO-satellites on astronomical observations
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