BISTATIC AND MULTISTATIC SYSTEM FOR SPACE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

Provided is a bistatic and multistatic system for detecting and identifying a target in close proximity to an orbiting satellite. An electromagnetic fence is established to surround the satellite, using a ground-based communication uplink from a gateway antenna. A contact or breach of the electromagnetic fence by the target is detected by the satellite, or at other sensor locations, and an exact position, range and ISAR image of the target is calculated using scattered RF energy from the fence. Identification data is transmitted to satellite system monitors, whereby the data is used to decide on a corrective course of action.