Kruger White, Defence Science and Technology Group, Australia; Duncan Cook, Defence Science and Technology Group; Sergey Kharabash, Defence Science and Technology Group; Ashwani Kumar, Defence Science and Technology Group; Victor Fok, Defence Science and Technology Group; Cameron Webb, Defence Science and Technology Group; Peter Bawden, Defence Science and Technology Group; Jason Alvino, Defence Science and Technology Group; Han Gaetjens, Defence Science and Technology Group; Kenneth See, Lockheed Martin Australia; Trent Jansen-Sturgeon, Lockheed Martin Australia; James Barr, Saab Australia; Francisco Piragibe de Almeida, Saab Australia; Mark Rutten, In Track Solutions
Keywords: Space Domain Awareness, Multi-sensor Orbit Determination, Space Information Analytics
Abstract:
The Australian Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) has developed an experimental capability to inform and shape the acquisition of an operational Space Domain Awareness (SDA) system for Australia. The SDA research environment, known as Research and Development Space Target Awareness and Response (RED STAR), is at an initial functional stage and continues to evolve.
The RED STAR system accepts data from multiple sources, including SDA sensors and space object catalogues such as space-track.org. Data from multiple heterogeneous SDA sensors can be processed including various ground-based sensor types such as optical telescopes and radar systems. In addition to data from real sensors observing real objects in space, modelling and simulation is used in RED STAR to generate data from simulated sensors observing simulated objects or a blend of real and simulated events to support a “sim-over-live” configuration. A repository allows the collection, storage, curation and retrieval of SDA data for analysis and for evaluation of prototype algorithms to support SDA functions. Tools for performing multi-sensor orbit determination and photometric analysis may be implemented and evaluated using RED STAR, which enables processing and visualisation functions. The data management software for RED STAR uses an agile software approach to develop a cloud native, containerised application suite of cooperating services. Web-based visualisation is used with RESTful API to support information exchange. The RED STAR system supports space intelligence analytics using multiple sources to determine space object information such as size, shape, function and attitude.
This paper provides an overview of DSTG’s SDA activities for RED STAR and examples of various constituent tools to support SDA.
Date of Conference: September 17-20, 2024
Track: Space Domain Awareness