Space Object Intrusion Alert Device for Satellite Constellations

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing number of satellites and space debris in mega-constellations poses challenges for existing alert systems, as they struggle to accurately predict and notify operators about potential collisions, especially with debris intruding into satellite constellations, leading to increased workload and complexity in managing vast amounts of orbit information.

Innovation Solution

A space object intrusion alert device that determines whether debris will pass through a satellite orbit area using forecast information, generates alerts with predicted time, location, and velocity vector data, and notifies management devices to facilitate appropriate avoidance actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the existing alert issuance service by CSpOC continues to be used, then the system can provide basic collision alerts, but it becomes difficult to accurately predict and notify about debris intrusions into satellite constellations due to the increasing number of satellites and debris

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of collision predictionVSAvoidcomplexity of managing orbit information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the monitoring task by separating satellite orbit management from debris orbit management. The passage determination unit specifically identifies when debris will pass through satellite orbit areas, dividing the complex collision prediction problem into manageable components: satellite constellation management, debris tracking, and intersection detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The passage determination unit acts as an intermediary between raw orbit data and alert generation. It processes satellite orbit forecast information and debris orbit forecast information to determine passages, serving as a mediator that transforms complex orbital mechanics data into actionable intrusion alerts without requiring end users to manage the underlying complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive monitoring of all satellites and debris is implemented, then collision detection capability improves, but the workload and complexity of managing vast amounts of orbit information increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capability of potential collisionsVSAvoidworkload of managing orbit information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the critical information needed for intrusion detection: satellite orbit forecast information defining satellite orbit areas, and debris orbit forecast information. The passage determination unit extracts passages where debris intersects with satellite orbits, filtering out unnecessary data and presenting only relevant intrusion events to operators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses forecast information that creates simplified representations of future orbits. Instead of managing real-time complex orbital mechanics calculations, the passage determination unit works with forecasted orbit data that copies essential trajectory information, reducing computational and operational complexity while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If real-time monitoring and alert generation for all debris is performed, then safety against collisions improves, but the system complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety against collisionsVSAvoidcomplexity of alert system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary determination of passages using forecast information before actual collisions or close approaches occur. The passage determination unit identifies future intrusion events in advance, allowing operators to prepare avoidance maneuvers before the debris actually reaches the satellite orbit area, improving safety while reducing the need for complex real-time response systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12057001B2Space object intrusion alert device, space object intrusion alert method, computer readable medium, satellite constellation forming system, debris removal satellite, ground facility, and space object intrusion alert system

Publication Date: 2024.08.06 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

An object is to notify an appropriate intrusion alert by determining whether debris will intrude into an orbit area of a satellite constellation. A passage determination unit (110) determines whether debris will pass through a satellite orbit area, based on satellite orbit forecast information in which a forecast value of an orbit of a satellite is set and debris orbit forecast information in which a forecast value of an orbit of debris is set. When it is determined that debris will pass through the satellite orbit area, an alert generation unit (120) generates an intrusion alert (111) including a predicted time, predicted location coordinates, and predicted velocity vector information that relate to passage of the debris. An alert notification unit (130) notifies the intrusion alert (111) to a management business device (40) used by a management business operator that manages a satellite that flies in the satellite orbit area.