Satellite Debris Search Window Control for Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The proliferation of low earth satellites and orbital debris poses a significant collision risk, exacerbated by limited tracking capabilities and high positional uncertainties, leading to the potential for catastrophic collisions and the Kessler syndrome, necessitating efficient debris avoidance systems.
Innovation Solution
A satellite system equipped with debris sensor circuitry and controller circuitry to detect and avoid collisions by scanning a defined search window based on collision prediction data, using ground-based and onboard systems to determine debris position and velocity uncertainties, and generate avoidance maneuvers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If spacecraft-based sensors continuously scan the forward velocity quadrants to detect orbital debris, then collision detection capability is improved, but mechanical complexity and reliability challenges increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Ground-based systems perform preliminary tracking and prediction of debris trajectories, calculating uncertainty zones in advance. This pre-processing reduces the burden on onboard sensors, which only need to scan predefined search windows within these uncertainty zones rather than continuously scanning entire forward quadrants, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring task is divided into two segments: ground-based systems handle broad-area tracking and uncertainty zone calculation, while onboard sensors focus on scanning smaller, predefined search windows within those zones. This segmentation allows each system to operate at optimized complexity levels, with ground systems providing predictive guidance to reduce onboard scanning requirements
2Measurement precision
If ground-based radars improve tracking capability to reduce position uncertainty, then debris location precision is improved, but the complexity of track file correlation increases
Solution Approach 1:
A satellite controller acts as an intermediary that receives tracking data from ground-based radars, performs track file correlation, and processes uncertainty calculations. This centralizes the complex correlation task at the satellite level, allowing ground systems to focus on high-precision tracking while the controller manages the computational complexity of matching multiple track files
3Adaptability or versatility
If satellite launches increase to support global internet communications, then service capability is improved, but the number of orbital objects and collision risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback through ground-based tracking and onboard sensing that monitors debris positions and predicts potential collisions. When threats are detected, the system provides feedback to satellite controllers to execute avoidance maneuvers, creating a closed-loop system that actively manages collision risk as satellite constellations grow
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of debris and prediction of potential collision courses before actual threats materialize. By calculating uncertainty zones and predefined search windows in advance, the system prepares avoidance strategies proactively, enabling satellites to take preventive action rather than reacting to imminent threats, thus mitigating collision risk before it escalates
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a satellite system with orbital debris avoidance. In one embodiment, the satellite system includes debris sensor circuitry to scan orbital debris items in an orbital debris field; and sensor controller circuitry to determine a search window within the orbital debris field based on, at least, uncertainties associated with a velocity of the satellite (Vsatellite) and uncertainties associated with a velocity of at least one debris item (Vdebris), the sensor controller circuitry also to control the debris sensor circuitry to detect the at least one debris item within the search window.