Satellite Collision Avoidance Coordination for Mixed Constellations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing satellite constellations face challenges in formulating unified collision avoidance rules due to the presence of both satellites with and without avoidance functions, increasing the risk of collisions, especially with space debris, in densely populated orbital regions.

Innovation Solution

A collision avoidance assistance device that includes a storage unit for orbit forecast information, an alert control unit to identify danger-anticipated objects, and an avoidance decision unit to determine an avoidance space object for appropriate collision prevention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If satellites are densely deployed in low Earth orbit to form large-scale constellations, then productivity and coverage are improved, but the risk of collision increases due to higher density of space objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesatellite constellation coverage capabilityVSAvoidcollision risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by forecasting future orbital positions of satellites and space debris before collisions occur. The system calculates predicted trajectories and identifies potential collision risks in advance, enabling proactive avoidance maneuvers rather than reactive responses. This allows dense satellite constellations to operate safely by predicting and preventing collisions before they happen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If both satellites with avoidance functions and without avoidance functions coexist in congested orbital regions, then adaptability is improved, but collision risk increases due to lack of unified avoidance rules

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility of mixed satellite fleetVSAvoidcollision risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a ground-based collision avoidance assistance device as an intermediary system that coordinates avoidance actions between satellites with different capabilities. This mediator forecasts orbital positions, identifies collision risks, and generates avoidance recommendations that can be applied uniformly across mixed satellite fleets. Satellites with advanced avoidance functions can execute autonomous maneuvers, while those without such functions can follow ground-generated guidance, enabling unified collision avoidance rules across heterogeneous satellite populations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring actual orbital positions of satellites and comparing them with forecasted positions. This feedback loop allows the collision avoidance assistance device to update predictions, refine avoidance recommendations, and adapt to real-time changes in satellite trajectories and space debris movements. The feedback mechanism ensures that avoidance actions remain effective even as orbital conditions evolve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If multiple orbital planes with the same altitude are used to increase constellation density, then productivity is improved, but collision risk increases at intersection points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesatellite constellation densityVSAvoidcollision risk at intersection points

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by specifically forecasting and identifying collision risks at orbital plane intersection points before satellites arrive. The system calculates predicted positions of multiple satellites across different orbital planes and proactively identifies high-risk intersection zones. This allows the collision avoidance assistance device to generate early warnings and coordination recommendations for satellites approaching intersection points, enabling preventive avoidance maneuvers that maintain dense multi-plane constellations while reducing collision risks at critical intersection locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260070681A1Collision avoidance assistance device, satellite constellation forming system, collision avoidance assistance method, computer readable medium, collision avoidance assistance system, and satellite constellation business device

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

An object is to assist an appropriate avoidance action when a collision between space objects in outer space is foreseen in advance. A storage unit stores orbit forecast information, which is a forecast value of an orbit of each of a plurality of space objects. An alert control unit determines whether space objects whose locations at the same time are in a dangerous relationship exist as danger-anticipated objects among the plurality of space objects, based on the orbit forecast information. When it is determined that the danger-anticipated objects exist, the alert control unit outputs a danger alert indicating existence of the danger-anticipated objects. When the danger alert is output, an avoidance decision unit decides an avoidance space object, which is a space object to perform an avoidance operation, out of space objects included in the danger-anticipated objects.