Astrostationary orbits for hybrid space and ground-based observatories

Ground-based observatories' capabilities can be greatly enhanced by working with satellites in astrostationary orbits. Satellites inertially aligned with ground-based observatories can help mitigate atmospheric effects in astronomical, solar, and planetary observations. We present a method for developing and modeling the trajectory of potential astrostationary orbits as seen from the ground to understand whether they meet defined astrostationary conditions such as the location in the field of interest and the observation time. It discovers an L2 orbit family and shows that it can meet astrostationary conditions. It then presents an example mission, Orbiting Configurable Artificial Star (ORCAS), in which a satellite aligns with a ground-based observatory to provide near-diffraction limited observations in the visible wavelength. A highly elliptical orbit family which can meet the ORCAS requirements is studied, and we go on to show how multiple observations can be made during a single-orbit period and how specific configurations that increase the observation time can be found. Finally, other potential astrostationary families are presented, as well as additional applications that could benefit from spacecraft and ground-based observatories working together, and future work which can be done to move forward in the field is discussed. (C) 2022 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)