Nathan Golovich, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Robert Armstrong, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Alex Geringer-Sameth, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Benjamin Bahney, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Gary Li, Impulse Space Inc.
Keywords: Space-based SDA, Autonomous satellite constellation, On-board computing, Orbit simulation
Abstract:
As the number of objects in Earth’s orbit continues to rise, the need for effective space situational awareness (SSA) becomes increasingly urgent to prevent collisions and ensure the safety of operational satellites. With the proliferation of smaller spacecraft in geosynchronous orbits and cislunar space, the challenge of discovering and tracking objects within the Earth-Moon system is rapidly outpacing the capabilities of current SDA networks.
Detecting unknown objects requires both high sensitivity and wide-area coverage. Achieving sensitivity typically demands larger apertures or longer exposure times. However, small spacecraft are constrained by payload size, weight, power, and pointing stability, which makes these requirements challenging without significantly increasing costs. One potential solution is to stack signal data across multiple images, as the signal improves with the square root of the number of stacked exposures. However, this introduces new challenges related to data volumes and downlink rates.
In this presentation, I will explore a novel approach involving an extendable network of low-cost, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) small satellites and payloads, offering a cost-effective solution to address this growing challenge. The proposed system consists of a fleet of small satellites equipped with wide-field telescopes, enabling the discovery and tracking of faint objects. I will present a study that quantifies the trade-offs between aperture size, field of view, number of satellites, and the faintness of targets. The results demonstrate that a network of COTS satellites, combined with onboard processing and autonomous survey strategies, can meet the requirements for space domain awareness in geostationary orbit (GEO) and beyond.
The system is highly extensible, with additional satellites easily integrated into the network to enhance performance. This approach offers significant advantages over more bespoke, expensive solutions, as it ensures scalability while keeping costs manageable. By leveraging readily available commercial components, the system provides flexibility and adaptability, preserving autonomous capabilities for both tracking known objects and discovering new ones.
The network’s extensibility allows for coverage of diverse orbital regions, from GEO to cislunar space, and ensures that it can evolve to meet future demands as space activity continues to grow. Advanced tracking algorithms and predictive models will enable precise collision avoidance maneuvers, significantly improving space domain awareness. This space-based SDA solution presents a promising pathway for maintaining sustainable satellite operations, preventing debris generation, and ensuring the long-term viability of space exploration and utilization.
Date of Conference: September 16-19, 2025
Track: Space-Based Assets