GLINT

GLINT is the acronym for Geo Light Imaging National Testbed. Schafer has supported this AFRL program in three basic areas for the Surveillance Technologies Branch DEBS. The first area is the collation of information to develop a target database of geosynchronous GEO satellites. Each possible target needs to be investigated in order to obtain permission from the owneroperator to illuminate it. This information, when obtained, would be part of the database as well. The second area addresses a major operational concern for GLINT. A necessary prerequisite to illumination of GEO satellites by GLINT is the ability to ascertain that the object acquired is the intended target. The GEO satellites are unresolved to any single pupil associated with aperture sizes we are now capable of building. GLINT will be able to image them using an active Fourier telescopy scheme. However, due to international agreements and the safety of instrumentation on-board these satellites, a non-imaging method to first identify that the acquired object is the target in question. This second area is the Signatures Program. Its goal is to pursue non-imaging techniques to obtain satellite information and reduce uncertain identification ID in preparation for active illumination by GLINT. The final area of support was the study on a relay mirror experiment that could be performed with GLINT.