A Staring Tracking Measurement Method of Resident Space Objects Based on the Star Tacker

Abstract

Measuring resident space objects (RSOs) by star trackers has become a research hotspot in space situational awareness. However, the arc length measured by star trackers is too short to complete the high-precision orbit determination of the RSO. In this paper, a staring–tracking measurement (STM) method is proposed to obtain a sufficiently long arc. Firstly, the three-axis attitude calculation model of the satellite is established for tracking RSOs during the staring process. Secondly, an observation method of the RSO location is proposed based on the principle of the angular distance invariance and the imaging mapping function of the star tracker. Finally, the numerical simulations and the ground experiment were conducted to verify the proposed algorithm. Simulation results show that the acquisition time of the measurable arcs is longer than 6 min, and the accuracy of the declination and the ascension can meet the standard for RSO orbit determination. The physical experiment shows that the acquisition time is consistent with that in the simulation. Our work provides a new idea for the realization of high-precision space-based optical measurement.

A Dual-Purpose Camera for Attitude Determination and Resident Space Object Detection on a Stratospheric Balloon

“…In [5], we also examined the feasibility of a virtual constellation using dual-purpose star trackers for Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and applications. Similar concepts were also examined in [6][7][8]. While these articles present a similar concept of using star trackers for detecting RSOs in star field images, there has been little to no in-orbit demonstration of the multi-use star trackers with real-time performance of the functions.…”

“…For each set of unique (one point from e point set), unmatched set of three points, the Euclidean distance is calculated between point belonging to the first image and second image, d1, and again calculated between second image and third image, d . These distances are then checked to ensure they far enough to be considered RSOs, as defined in the assumptions mentioned previou Equation ( 6) below is then used to determine how similar these distances, followed Equation (7) to determine the angle between the vectors, θ (where d ⃗ is the vector fr point one to point two, and d ⃗ is the vector from point two to point three). These t calculations are performed to fulfill the linear and equidistant RSO assumption.…”

“…These distances are then checked to ensure they are far enough to be considered RSOs, as defined in the assumptions mentioned previously. Equation ( 6) below is then used to determine how similar these distances, followed by Equation (7) to determine the angle between the vectors, θ (where → d 1 is the vector from point one to point two, and → d 2 is the vector from point two to point three). These two calculations are performed to fulfill the linear and equidistant RSO assumption.…”

Comparative Analysis of Resident Space Object (RSO) Detection Methods

“…The images analyzed in this study were captured as "observations of opportunity", in which the imager was not tasked with observing planned targets. Similar examples include the study of RSO image analysis using the Fast Auroral Imager (FAI) described in [11] and the operation of dual-purpose star trackers discussed in [12][13][14]. Further details on the mode of operation in similar scenarios can be also found [15].…”