New 'spectral fingerprint' atlas of satellites aims to improve space security

University of Arizona researchers have created the first astronomical equivalent of a fingerprint database for satellites, a critical first step toward easily identifying human-made objects in the increasingly crowded geostationary orbit.

This database, or spectral atlas, includes 96 satellites in the geostationary orbit, or GEO – home to satellites used for communications, imaging, navigation and other purposes – that are visible from Tucson.

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