Fourier telescopic imaging system and method
A system and method for imaging far away fast moving objects such as satellites in low earth orbit. The object to be imaged is illuminated simultaneously with a composite beam comprised of a large number of separate laser beams from a large number of laser sources each from a separate position with each of the separate laser beams shifted in frequency with respect to each other beam so as to produce a large number of beat frequencies in the composite beam. The positions of the laser sources are changed rapidly during an illumination period of a few seconds. Light reflected from the object is collected in a large number of light buckets and information defining the intensity of the collected reflected light as a function of time is stored. The positions and frequencies of each of the laser sources are also recorded and stored as a function of time. The stored information defining the intensity of the collected reflected light is analyzed by one or more computer processors utilizing special algorithms to produce a image of the object.
1. A system for imaging a far away fast moving target comprising:
A) a number greater than five of separate laser sources each of said separate laser sources located separately from the other laser sources with each of the separate laser sources adapted to produce a laser beam shifted in frequency with respect to each other beam so as to produce a large number of beat frequencies in a composite beam directed at the target;
B) a laser positioning system adapted to rapidly change the positions of each of the laser sources during an illumination period of a few seconds,
C) a large number of at least 20 light buckets adapted to collect and light reflected from the target;
D) data storage electronics adapted to store information developed from the light collected by the light buckets to define the light intensity collected by each of the light bucket as a function of time;
E) electronic adapted to monitor and store positions and frequencies of each of the laser sources as a function of time; and
F) one or more computer processors programmed with algorithms for analyzing the stored information defining the intensity of the collected reflected light as a function of time and the positions of the laser sources as a function of time to produce images of the target.