Toshifumi Yanagisawa (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), Hirohisa Kurosaki (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), Hajime Banno (IHI Corporation), Yukihito Kitazawa (IHI Corporation), Masahiko Uetsuhara (Kyushu University), Toshiya Hanada (Kyushu University)
Keywords: Orbital Debris
Abstract:
Four detection algorithms for GEO objects are being developed under the collaboration between Kyushu University, IHI corporation and JAXA. Each algorithm is designed to process CCD images to detect GEO objects. First one is PC based stacking method which has been developed in JAXA since 2000. Numerous CCD images are used to detect faint GEO objects below the limiting magnitude of a single CCD image. Sub-images are cropped from many CCD image to fit the movement of the objects. A median image of all the sub-images is then created. Although this method has an ability to detect faint objects, it takes time to analyze. Second one is the line-identifying technique which also uses many CCD frames and finds any series of objects that are arrayed on a straight line from the first frame to the last frame. This can analyze data faster than the stacking method, but cannot detect faint objects as the stacking method. Third one is the robust stacking method developed by IHI corporation which uses average instead of median to reduce analysis time. This has same analysis speed as the line-identifying technique and better detection capabilities in terms of the darkness. Forth one is the FPGA based stacking method which uses binalized images and a new algorithm installed in a FPGA board which reduce analysis time about one thousandth. All four algorithms analyzed the same sets of data to evaluate their advantages and disadvantages. By comparing their analysis times and results, an optimal usage of these algorithms are considered.
Date of Conference: September 11-14, 2012
Track: Orbital Debris