Chinmay Gaikwad, Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University; Filipe Senra, Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University; Hao Peng, Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University
Keywords: Space Situational Awareness, LEO , Mega-constellations, OD, Space Surveillance and Tracking
Abstract:
In this paper, a detailed simulation framework has been developed to track space debris using a satellite constellation equipped with onboard passive radar sensors. Taking advantage of space objects illuminated by a ground-based transmitter, these sensors enable detection and tracking of small objects beyond the limitations of terrestrial infrastructures. The resulting architecture offers a scalable, automated, and cost-effective framework for next-generation space surveillance, contributing to more resilient space traffic management. An angles-only passive-radar orbit determination technique for large-scale space situational awareness (SSA) is presented. Initial states are produced by a rate-aware constrained admissible region—multiple-hypothesis filter (CAR–MHF) seeding method that fuses shortarc azimuth/elevation and optional angle-rates while enforcing geometric conditioning. A robust unscented Kalman filter (UKF) is used for tracking the space objects after the initial orbit determination. Update integrity is maintained through sigma-point Mahalanobis gating, per-sensor receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM), block-wise measurement-noise inflation, and bounded innovations. Preliminary results for IOD and tracking accuracy are reported and discussed in detail.
Date of Conference: September 16-19, 2025
Track: Space-Based Assets