Comparison of EISCAT radar data on space debris with model predictions by the master model of ESA

In the effort to obtain low cost routine space debris observations in low Earth orbit, ESA plans to utilise the radar facilities of the European Incoherent Scatter Scientific Association. First demonstration measurements were performed from 11 to 23 February 2001. In total 16 h of radar signals were collected. Here we compare these initial measurements with the predictions of the ESA MASTER/PROOF'99 model in order to assess the sensitivity as well as the reliability of the data. We find that while the determination of object size needs to be reviewed, the altitude distribution provides a good fit to the model prediction. The absolute number of objects detected in the various altitude bins indicates that the coherent integration method indeed increases the detection sensitivity when compared to incoherent integration. In the data presented here integration times from 0.1 to 0.3 s were used. As expected, orbit information cannot be obtained from the measurements if they are linked to ionospheric measurements as planned. In addition routine space debris observations provide also useful information for the validation of large-object catalogues. (C) 2004 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.