Michael Schneider, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, William Dawson, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Keywords: SSA, space domain awareness, GEO, streak identification, optical imaging
Abstract:
We present a Bayesian algorithm to combine optical imaging of unresolved objects from distinct epochs and observation platforms for orbit determination and tracking. By propagating the non-Gaussian uncertainties we are able to optimally combine imaging of arbitrary signal-to-noise ratios, allowing the integration of data from low-cost sensors. Our Bayesian approach to image characterization also allows large compression of imaging data without loss of statistical information. With a computationally efficient algorithm to combine multiple observation epochs and multiple telescopes, we show statistically optimal orbit inferences.
Date of Conference: September 20-23, 2016
Track: Astrodynamics