Statistics and Analysis of LEO Objects’ Luminosity

As one of basic properties of space objects, luminosity is frequently used for the identification of space objects, as well as for the calculation of their scattering cross sections. In general, space objects shine only by reflecting sunlight, their brightness observed by ground stations is affected by many factors. Since the multi-object photometric observation equipment operated five years ago, a large number of photometric data have been accumulated. This article estimates the overall accuracy of the data, and lists some typical situations in respect to the phase angle-magnitude (PA-m) relation for space objects. And the statistics are conducted on the luminosity data of more than two thousand low earth orbit (LEO) objects.