STTR Phase I: Space Debris Awareness Spectrum

这一小企业技术转让项目第一阶段的更广泛影响/商业潜力将开发天基探测轨道碎片的方法。这项技术可以通过对航天器各自轨道内的物体进行实时、准确的识别和建模，减少空间碰撞的风险。该系统还将帮助解决潜在的路径偏差。有了拟议的天基碎片意识技术，就可以利用各种技术来防止今后的碰撞和碎片损害。这一系统的一项功能是指明由于对关键设备构成威胁而需要紧急清除轨道的物体或碎片。此外，所提出的系统可用于探测和避免动能攻击以及由此产生的碎片场。此外，所提出的机载传感器可以检测广泛的对象特性，包括大小、速度、成分、起源和意图。此外，该解决方案将有助于收集情报和确定碰撞责任方。所提议的解决办法解决了上述问题，办法是在宿主航天器上安装轨道碎片感知平台，作为对地静止轨道和周围轨道高度的监视器。从而能够更好地预测和反应性地避免敌对威胁和轨道碎片的碰撞。这一技术可以推动新的变革性解决办法，消除卫星与轨道碎片碰撞的威胁，并提高对空间的认识。该技术将提高空间操作风险管理的利润率，并使航天工业能够安全增长。拟议的工作将包括在三（3）个关键领域进行研究：（1）利用目前在轨传感器的数据汇总，在微波和光学频谱中探测和跟踪碎片环境的特点;（2）确定和规定微波频谱中的最佳探测/跟踪方法和技术，以便能够感测亚厘米大小的物体;以及3）在光谱范围内精确定位检测/跟踪方法和技术，以允许感测小于10厘米大小的物体。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will develop methods for space-based detection of orbital debris. This technology may decrease risks of collisions in space through real-time, accurate identification and modeling of objects within the respective orbits of the spacecraft. The system will also assist with potential path deviations. With the proposed space-based debris awareness technology, techniques could be employed to prevent future collisions and debris damage. A function of such a system could be for designating objects or debris that require emergency orbital removal due to the threats they pose to critical equipment. Additionally, the proposed systems can be used to detect and avoid kinetic attacks as well as the debris fields generated by them. Further, the proposed onboard sensors may detect a broad range of object characteristics, including size, velocity, composition, origin, and intent. Moreover, the solution will assist in intelligence gathering and identifying parties responsible for collisions. The proposed solution addresses the above-stated concerns by integrating orbital debris awareness platforms on host space vehicles to serve as watchdogs for the geostationary and surrounding orbital altitudes.This STTR Phase I project proposes to investigate optimal methods for onboard satellite sensor systems to obtain full spherical space awareness for the host satellites, and thereby allow for better predictive and reactive collision avoidance of hostile threats and orbital debris. This technology could advance novel and transformative solutions for eliminating the threat of satellite collisions with orbital debris and enhance space awareness. The technology will improve space operation risk management margins and permit the space industry's safe growth. The proposed work will include research in three (3) key areas: 1) characterizing the debris environment with regard to detection and tracking in the microwave and optical spectrums using the aggregation of data from sensors currently in orbit; 2) identifying and prescribing optimal detection/tracking methods and technologies within the microwave spectrum to permit sensing of sub-centimeter-sized objects; and 3) pinpointing detection/tracking methods and technologies within the optical spectrum to allow sensing of sub-10 cm sized objects.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.