Session
Session VI: FJR Student Competition
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
Debris Measurement Analyzer (DMA) is a simulation environment developed to generate data about in-space surveillance using an optical payload. A novel simulation paradigm is presented which combines physical simulation with statistical data about the resident space object (RSO) environment, resulting in superior accuracy and shorter simulation runtime. DMA implements a finite volume sampling technique that enables the simulation to not only account for the dependence of RSO spatial density on altitude, but also on longitude, latitude, and sensor orientation. The results produced by this tool are aggregated into insights that enable data-driven decision-making whether the detection of RSOs is a primary or secondary mission objective. DMA provides insights about how many RSOs are detected within one orbit, and what size of RSO is visible. It estimates the accuracy of initial orbital determination and finally provides a cost estimate of performing orbit determination using an in-space system. DMA’s model-based approach allows mission designers to characterize the in-orbit RSO detection performance throughout the mission development cycle. By implementing simple MATLAB functions DMA’s capabilities can be easily extended.
Debris Measurement Analyzer (DMA): Simulating the Detection of Resident Space Objects using Space-Based Optical Sensors
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Debris Measurement Analyzer (DMA) is a simulation environment developed to generate data about in-space surveillance using an optical payload. A novel simulation paradigm is presented which combines physical simulation with statistical data about the resident space object (RSO) environment, resulting in superior accuracy and shorter simulation runtime. DMA implements a finite volume sampling technique that enables the simulation to not only account for the dependence of RSO spatial density on altitude, but also on longitude, latitude, and sensor orientation. The results produced by this tool are aggregated into insights that enable data-driven decision-making whether the detection of RSOs is a primary or secondary mission objective. DMA provides insights about how many RSOs are detected within one orbit, and what size of RSO is visible. It estimates the accuracy of initial orbital determination and finally provides a cost estimate of performing orbit determination using an in-space system. DMA’s model-based approach allows mission designers to characterize the in-orbit RSO detection performance throughout the mission development cycle. By implementing simple MATLAB functions DMA’s capabilities can be easily extended.
