Multi-spectral infrared remote-sensing is a powerful tool for characterization of space objects. Unfortunately, it is rarely applied due to lack of applicable data. Fortunately, a few relevant historical databases, such as the NASA-Wide Field Infrared Explorer (NASA-WISE) space debris database, exist and permit investigation of the properties of space objects. This space debris database includes measurements in the mid-wave and long-wave infrared bands. In this work we demonstrate statistical characterization of unresolved multi-spectral infrared space debris data, through analysis of statistics of the space object populations’ observed infrared properties. Space objects are categorized according to derived thermal properties. Statistical tests are developed that allow classification based on new measurements of thermal properties.
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