LightForce: Orbital collision avoidance using ground-based laser induced photon pressure

Stupl, Jan; Mason, James; Marshall, William; Levit, Creon; Smith, Craig H.; Olivier, Scot S.; Pertica, Alex; Vries, Wim de

doi:10.1063/1.4739902

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 12 publications

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“…The term SSA is used somewhat inconsistently [18][19][20][21][22], but for the purposes of this thesis, will refer to a knowledge of the man-made space environment surrounding the Earth. A primary means of contributing to SSA is by performing spacesurveillance and tracking of RSOs [23][24][25]. In the ideal scenario, each object's dynamics would be measured and modelled mathematically to the extent that all future instances of collision could be reliably predicted and prevented.…”

Section: Declaration By Authormentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensor management for enhanced catalogue maintenance of resident space objects

Hobson¹

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The research detailed in this thesis explores the deployment of steerable sensors as an efficient means of improving the capability, capacity and timeliness of existing space surveillance systems, to provide superior levels of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) through enhanced sensor management. These improvements are necessary as the world's increasing reliance on spacefaring has brought about the accumulation of an enormous quantity of man-made objects orbiting the Earth. For almost 60 years the number of objects has grown, causing a commensurate increase in the likelihood of destructive collisions involving manned missions and important space assets. To predict and ideally prevent collisions, a number of agencies endeavour to track as many Resident Space Objects (RSOs) as possible. Recent events involving unprecedented surges in the number of RSOs have made it clear that the ability to continue to operate safely in Earth orbit will require enhancements to existing levels of SSA. The act of maintaining SSA is reliant on many sources of information, of which a primary source is the direct observation of RSOs by space surveillance sensors. These observations are utilised to compile and maintain a catalogue of RSO's orbital state estimates that is analysed to determine the likelihood of collision. Surveillance of this environment is a challenging task that currently has a large dependence on legacy systems and techniques that can benefit from modernisation via the introduction of contemporary technologies and methodologies. Due to potential benefits such as low cost, high accuracy, scalability, flexibility and automation, the large scale deployment of steerable sensors is proposed as a means of improving existing catalogue maintenance systems.Researching a judicious means of deploying and exploiting steerable sensors to improve the capability, capacity and timeliness of space surveillance networks requires consideration of the management of sensors at both a network and an individual level.The exploration begins at the network level with an analysis of existing practices for maintaining RSO catalogues to understand how catalogue accuracy is affected when steerable sensors are employed. Through numerical simulation, the effectiveness of the current state of the art in steerable sensors, a class of electro-optical sensor, is contrasted with traditional radar surveillance. The findings indicate that if the current state of the art in steerable sensors were to be widely deployed as the primary contributing sensors, catalogue accuracy would increase significantly. The findings also show that greater catalogue accuracy could be expected if effects caused by passive optical sensing to observability of RSO range and sensor availability can be minimised.Methods for improving observability and availability when using networks of optical sensors are investigated next. Measurement level sensor fusion and efficient analysis of the iii network's visibility of the RSO catalogue are considered. The investigation's result...

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Section: Declaration By Authormentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensor management for enhanced catalogue maintenance of resident space objects

Hobson¹

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Ion acceleration from thin foil and extended plasma targets by slow electromagnetic wave and related ion-ion beam instability

et al. 2012

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When ions are accelerated by the radiation pressure of a laser pulse, their velocity cannot exceed the pulse group velocity which can be considerably smaller than the speed of light in vacuum. This is demonstrated in two cases corresponding to a thin foil target irradiated by high intensity laser light and to the hole boring produced in an extended plasma by the laser pulse. It is found that the beams of accelerated ions are unstable against Buneman-like and Weibel-like instabilities which results in the broadening of the ion energy spectrum.

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LightForce: Orbital collision avoidance using ground-based laser induced photon pressure

Cited by 2 publications

References 12 publications

Sensor management for enhanced catalogue maintenance of resident space objects

Sensor management for enhanced catalogue maintenance of resident space objects

Ion acceleration from thin foil and extended plasma targets by slow electromagnetic wave and related ion-ion beam instability

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