SWIR Image Stacking for Daytime Space Object Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ground-based telescopes are unable to detect high-altitude satellites during the day due to photon shot noise and sensor saturation from the bright sky background, while space-based systems are costly and have observational limitations, and ground-based passive RF systems only detect active RSOs, leaving them vulnerable to hazardous activity.

Innovation Solution

Implementing low-cost ground-based telescopes using shortwave infrared (SWIR) sensors that capture images at high data rates and stack them to reduce noise, without cryogenic cooling, to detect space objects during daytime hours.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ground-based optical telescopes operate during daytime, then they can detect space objects, but photon shot noise and sensor saturation from the bright sky background prevent effective detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedaytime detection capabilityVSAvoidsignal-to-noise ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational wavelength parameter from visible light to shortwave infrared (SWIR) bands. This parameter change fundamentally alters the interaction with the sky background, reducing photon shot noise while maintaining detection capability for space objects during daytime hours.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the SWIR spectrum into multiple bands (e.g., 1.0-1.7 microns, 1.7-2.5 microns) and processes each band separately through independent image stacking and background subtraction. This segmentation allows optimal noise reduction for each wavelength range while maintaining overall detection effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If space-based systems are used for daytime detection, then detection limitations are avoided, but the systems are costly and have observational patterns and solar avoidance constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidsystem cost and operational constraints

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a ground-based SWIR imaging system that replicates the detection capabilities of space-based systems. By using SWIR sensors and image stacking techniques, the ground-based system achieves similar detection reliability without the cost and operational constraints of space-based platforms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces SWIR imaging as an intermediary detection method between ground-based optical telescopes and space-based systems. This intermediary approach provides daytime detection capability while remaining ground-based, avoiding the need for expensive space launches and complex solar avoidance maneuvers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If ground-based passive RF systems detect RSOs, then they can observe during daytime, but only active RSOs are detected, leaving others vulnerable to hazardous activity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedaytime observation coverageVSAvoiddetection coverage for all RSOs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces passive RF detection with active SWIR imaging. This substitution enables the system to detect all RSOs regardless of their transmission state, as SWIR imaging directly captures the reflected sunlight from space objects, providing comprehensive daytime observation coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by an order of magnitude, allowing effective detection of space objects during the day through improved imaging techniques and reduced background flux, overcoming the limitations of existing systems.

Implementation Method 1

SWIR-based space object detection systems detect reflected sunlight from space objects in the shortwave infrared spectrum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

stacking images to reduce noise, without cryogenic cooling, to detect space objects during daytime hours

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhoton shot noise reduction through statistical averaging:

Data Source

PatentUS20250308230A1System and method for space object detection in daytime sky images

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 SLINGSHOT AEROSPACE INC

AI summary

In some embodiments, space objects may be detected within shortwave infrared (SWIR) images captured during the daytime. Some embodiments include obtaining a stacked image by stacking shortwave infrared (SWIR) images. A spatial background-difference image may be generated based on the stacked image, and a matched-filter image may be obtained based on the spatial background-difference image. A binary mask may be generated based on the matched-filter image. The binary mask may include a plurality of bits each of which including a first value or a second value based on whether a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) associated with that bit satisfies a threshold condition. Output data may be generated based on the spatial background-difference image and the binary mask, where the output data provides observations on detected space objects in orbit.