Scot Olivier (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory)
Keywords: SSA, SSA Architecture
Abstract:
This paper describes the development and initial demonstration of a new, integrated modeling and simulation framework, encompassing the space situational awareness enterprise, for quantitatively assessing the benefit of specific sensor systems, technologies and data analysis techniques. This framework includes detailed models for threat scenarios, signatures, sensors, observables and knowledge extraction algorithms. The framework is based on a flexible, scalable architecture to enable efficient simulation of the current SSA enterprise, and to accommodate future advancements in SSA systems. In particular, the code is designed to take advantage of massively parallel computer systems available, for example, at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. We will describe the details of the modeling and simulation framework, including hydrodynamic models of satellite intercept and debris generation, orbital propagation algorithms, radar cross section calculations, optical and infra-red brightness calculations, generic radar system models, generic optical and infra-red system models, specific Space Surveillance Network models, object detection algorithms, orbit determination algorithms, and visualization tools. The specific modeling of the Space Surveillance Network is performed in collaboration with the Air Force Space Command Space Control Group. We will demonstrate the use of this integrated simulation and modeling framework on specific threat scenarios, including space debris and satellite maneuvers, and we will examine the results of case studies involving the addition of new sensor systems, used in conjunction with the Space Surveillance Network, for improving space situational awareness.
Date of Conference: September 16-19, 2008
Track: SSA & SSA Architecture