STTR Phase I: Space Debris Awareness Spectrum

这一小型企业技术转让第一阶段项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力将发展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，降低空间碰撞的风险。该系统还将协助处理潜在的路径偏差。利用拟议的天基碎片感知技术，可以采用各种技术来防止未来的碰撞和碎片损坏。这种系统的一个功能可能是指定由于对关键设备构成威胁而需要紧急移出轨道的物体或碎片。此外，所提出的系统可用于检测和避免动能攻击以及由它们产生的碎片场。此外，提议的机载传感器可以检测广泛的物体特征，包括大小、速度、组成、起源和意图。此外，该解决方案将有助于情报收集和确定对碰撞负责的各方。拟议的解决办法解决了上述关切，将轨道碎片感知平台整合到宿主空间飞行器上，作为地球静止轨道高度和周围轨道高度的监督机构。该STTR第一阶段项目建议研究机载卫星传感器系统的最佳方法，以获得宿主卫星的全球面空间感知，从而更好地预测和反应避免敌对威胁和轨道碎片的碰撞。这项技术可以推动新的和变革性的解决方案，以消除卫星与轨道碎片碰撞的威胁，并提高空间意识。该技术将提高空间操作风险管理的利润率，并允许航天工业的安全增长。拟议的工作将包括三个关键领域的研究：1)利用目前在轨传感器收集的数据，在微波和光学光谱中描述碎片环境的探测和跟踪特征；2)确定和规定微波频谱内的最佳检测/跟踪方法和技术，以实现亚厘米级物体的传感；3)在光谱范围内精确定位检测/跟踪方法和技术，以感知小于10厘米大小的物体。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，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.