Abstract
The limited space around the Earth is getting cluttered with leftover fragments from old missions, creating a real challenge. As more satellites are launched, even debris pieces as small as 5 mm must be tracked to avoid collisions. However, it is an arduous and challenging task in space. This paper presents a technical exploration of ground-based and in-orbit space debris tracking and orbit determination methods. It highlights the challenges faced during on-ground and in-orbit demonstrations, identifies current gaps, and proposes solutions following technological advancements, such as low-power pose estimation methods. Owing to the numerous atmospheric barriers to ground-based sensors, this study emphasizes the significance of spaceborne sensors for precise orbit determination, complemented by advanced data processing algorithms and collaborative efforts. The ultimate goal is to create a comprehensive catalog of resident space objects (RSO) around the Earth and promote space environment sustainability. By exploring different methods and finding innovative solutions, this study contributes to the protection of space for future exploration and the creation of a more transparent and precise map of orbital objects.
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Niki Sajjad is a space engineer with her bachelor degree in electrical engineering/control systems from Isfahan University of Technology and her master degree in space engineering from K. N. Toosi University of Technology. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree in space engineering, focusing on space debris monitoring, and is a visiting researcher at the University of Luxembourg. Since 2017, Niki has been a member of four different student satellite projects as an ADCS (Attitude Determination and Control System) and HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) engineer. She has won several awards with the recent ones being as IAF (International Astronautical Federation) Emerging Space Leaders Grant in 2022 and the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship as a research fellow at EPFL for 2023/2024. Niki is highly motivated to work toward space and the Earth sustainability to serve humanity and pave the way for the next generations to become key players in the space sector.
Mehran Mirshams is an associate professor in the Space Engineering Department of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at K. N. Toosi University of Technology. He holds his Ph.D. degree in aerospace engineering with a specialization in space system engineering from Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI), his M.Sc. degree in aerospace engineering from the same university, and his B.Sc. degree in mechanical engineering from the Isfahan University of Technology. He has received notable recognition for his contributions to the field, earning the K. N. Toosi University of Technology Best Researcher Award in 2012, 2016, and 2019. Throughout his career, he has held key roles, including overseeing the space system engineering education plan at Iranian Universities and establishing the Space Research Laboratory, where he has served as its head at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering since October 2005. He is deeply passionate about advancing space generation education and training. One of his notable achievements is the design, development, and establishment of the School’s Space Laboratory in primary, middle, and high schools. Additionally, Mehran Mirshams has played a pivotal role as the Vice-President of Academic Affairs and the Director of International Educational Joint Programs. His dedication to advancing aerospace engineering education and research underscores his commitment to academic excellence and knowledge advancement on an international scale.
Andreas Makoto Hein is an associate professor of space systems engineering (SpaSys) at SnT, University of Luxembourg. Before SnT, he worked as a system architect at IRT-SystemX, designing autonomous transportation systems with Transdev. He was formerly a researcher at the Industrial Engineering Lab at CentraleSupélec—Université Paris-Saclay in the area of mobility, industrial ecology, and systems engineering. He obtained his bachelor and master degrees in aerospace engineering from the Technical University of Munich and conducted his Ph.D. research at the same university and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has published over 70 articles in peer-reviewed international journals and conferences. He is the recipient of the Exemplary Systems Engineering Doctoral Dissertation Award and the Willy Messerschmitt Award.
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Sajjad, N., Mirshams, M. & Hein, A.M. Spaceborne and ground-based sensor collaboration: Advancing resident space objects’ orbit determination for space sustainability. Astrodyn 8, 325–347 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42064-023-0193-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42064-023-0193-1