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Space debris (SD) is an important problem for space operations and a hot topic for space surveillance research. A structured network of radar sensors is available worldwide, offering vital information about debris status. Recently, the Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT), a 64-m dish located in Sardinia, Italy, was introduced in the European plan for SD monitoring. Because the SRT is devoted to radio astronomy applications and is not optimized for SD echo detection, the need for an SD-dedicated channel has emerged. In this article, we present a detailed description and characterization of the new P-band receiving chain for SRT's space debris-monitoring purposes. As a test of its capabilities, the new channel was used to detect the echoes that emanated from the Chinese space station Tiangong-1 when it reentered Earth's atmosphere on its latest mission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a quite unique mobile laboratory for monitoring radio-frequency interference with a radio-astronomical observatory is described. The unit is fully operational at the new Sardinia Radio Telescope, a 64-m antenna now in the commissioning phase in Italy. The mobile laboratory is mainly used to identify the source of interference with the radio astronomy service using iterative triangulations in the azimuth directions. Both the design and realization of this prototype were handled with outstanding care to limit the emission of self-interference as much as possible. The laboratory was equipped with excellent microwave instruments in terms of sensitivity, frequency coverage, dynamic range, and various demodulation and signal-analysis facilities. The unit can be quickly switched to different RF and power-supply configurations, while offering operators a safe and efficient workplace, even in adverse meteorological and driving conditions. In the past months, the mobile laboratory has proven to be successful in detecting and identifying many radio interferers. Two examples of measurement campaigns are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]