Shiang Liu (The Aerospace Corporation), Vladimir B. Markov (MetroLaser Inc.), Anatoliy Khizhnyak (MetroLaser Inc.), Roberta Ewart (AF Space and Missile Systems Center), Doug Craig (Air Force Research Laboratory)
Keywords: SSA, Systems
Abstract:
Space surveillance requires capabilities for detection, tracking, imaging and characterization of specific objects in space environment. In general, most current space surveillance systems are single-sensor based and are not capable of generating the desired tracking accuracy, and providing required object characterization. A suite of various types of the sensors that are spatially or temporarily separated may thus be used collectively to synthesize a composite, improved surveillance picture through fusion and post processing of retrieved data. However, this approach will not yield the highest possible data accuracy due to the errors introduced in correlation of location, orientation and detection time from different sensors. Furthermore, it may not provide timely surveillance data to the user and hence may degrade the utility of these data. In this paper, we present the architecture, operational concept and preliminary design of an advanced integrated multi-sensor system (AIMS) for enhanced space surveillance capability to alleviate these shortfalls. AIMS employs an active laser tracking and multiple spectral domain (visible and multi-band IR) sensing to provide high-resolution tracking, three-dimensional imaging and reliable characterization of space objects with down range resolution of 1 cm and velocity measurement accuracy of 1-10 cm/sec in near real-time. The engineering and integration of a scale-down prototype of AIMS together with results of initial field tests are reported in this paper. Issues, lessons learned, future development plan and potential application of AIMS to space missions will be discussed.
Date of Conference: September 10-14, 2006
Track: SSA Systems & Programs