Toward space situational awareness: A space-based autonomous optical tracking method for space objects

Simultaneous Optical and Laser Space Objects Tracking

The goal of the presented experiments is the development of new optical tracking techniques for space objects, namely space debris, based on simultaneous CCD and laser measurements: the CCD tracking of a laser illuminated object, the simultaneous CCD tracking and laser ranging and the laser time-tagging of the CCD tracking. The first two experiments can be performed on cooperative corner retro-...

Human Interfaces For Space Situational Awareness

United States defense operations are greatly enhanced by satellites, however these key assets are vulnerable to perils such as space weather or acts of aggression. Unfortunately it is not only difficult to defend against such threats, it can be difficult to determine the cause from the ground. What may at first appear to be a routine system glitch may in fact be something much more serious. Thi...

Multi-object filtering for space situational awareness

Wideband Hyperspectral Imaging for Space Situational Awareness

Wideband hyperspectral imaging (WHSI) systems simultaneously collect spectral and spatial imagery across a broad spectrum that includes the visible/near infrared (VNIR), short-wave infrared (SWIR), mid-wave infrared (MWIR), and long-wave infrared (LWIR) regimes. These passive optical systems capture reflected sunlight and thermal emissions from targets enabling the characterization of surface m...

FAWKES Information Management for Space Situational Awareness

Current space situational awareness assets can be fully utilized by managing their inputs and outputs in real time. Ideally, sensors are tasked to perform specific functions to maximize their effectiveness. Many sensors are capable of collecting more data than is needed for a particular purpose, leading to the potential to enhance a sensor’s utilization by allowing it to be re-tasked in real ti...