Synthetic Aperture Imaging Polarimeter

There is a strong need for the ability to terrestrially image resident space objects (RSOs) and other low earth orbit (LEO) objects for Space Situational Awareness (SSA) applications. The Synthetic Aperture Imaging Polarimeter (SAIP) investigates an alternative means for imaging an object in LEO illuminated by laser radiation. A prototype array consisting of 36 division of amplitude polarimeters was built and tested. The design, assembly procedure, calibration data and test results are presented. All 36 polarimeters were calibrated to a high degree of accuracy. Pupil plane imaging tests were performed in by using cross-correlation image reconstruction algorithm to determine the prototype functionality.