Analysis of Space Debris Orbit Prediction Using Angle and Laser Ranging Data from Two Tracking Sites under Limited Observation Environment

Abstract

The global electro-optical (EO) and laser tracking sensor network was considered to investigate improvements to orbit prediction (OP) accuracy of space debris by combining angle and laser ranging data. However, it is worth noting that weather, schedule and visibility constraints can frequently limit the operations of such sensors, which may not result in sufficient tracking data for accurate OP. In this study, several 1-day OP results for low Earth orbit (LEO) space debris targets were demonstrated under a limited observation environment to verify the OP accuracy through the combination of angle and laser ranging data from two sites. For orbit determination (OD) processes, it was considered to analyze the OP accuracy by one site providing both 2–day arc angle data and 1-day arc laser ranging data, while the other was limited to 1-day arc angle data. In addition, the initial ballistic coefficient ( B C ) application method was proposed and implemented for the improvement of OD/OP accuracy, which introduces the modified correction factor depending on the drag coefficient. In the cases of combining the angle and laser ranging data, the OP results show the 3D position difference values are below 100 m root mean square (RMS) with small position uncertainty. This value satisfies the target OP accuracy for conjunction assessments and blind laser ranging (about 50–100 m at 1000 km altitude). The initial B C application method also shows better OP accuracy than the method without the correction factor.

Space Situational Awareness: Conjunction-based Collision Analysis Among Debris and Active Assets in Space

“…It also allowed for the observation of such operations using sensors located both on the ground and in space. There was a global network of electro-optical (EO) and laser tracking sensors with the primary goal of enhancing the accuracy of predicting space debris orbits (OP) [18]. This enhancement is accomplished by combining angle and laser-ranging data, which offers valuable insights into determining orbital paths.…”

Space Debris Laser Ranging with range-gate-free Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detector

“…In terms of improving the accuracy of orbital prediction of space debris, the accuracy of a limited number of targets can be improved by using the generated short-arc-length DLR data or fused optical angle measurement data, but it is based on a prerequisite that we could obtain DLR data, which cannot meet the high real-time requirements of DLR for high-accuracy prediction [17][18]. The Range Bias (RB) of orbital prediction can be indirectly reduced to a certain extent by calculating and applying the Time bias (TB) of the along-track [19], and the Austrian Graz SLR station applies the real-time TB to reduce the search range in daylight space debris laser ranging [3,20], but it still cannot directly correct the RB in the radial direction.…”