J. Filho, P. Gordo, N. Peixinho, R. Melicio, P. J. V. Garcia, T. Flohrer
Abstract
Current space debris observations and tracking aren't able to detect smaller debris, which poses a significant risk to space activities. This paper analyses the performance of a star tracker for detecting small space debris. This novel approach aims at improving our understanding of these objects. The ESA MASTER (Meteoroid and Space Debris Terrestrial Environment Reference) model is used to study the probability of space debris detection for a specific population of interest. Moreover, the maximum distance a space debris can be detected was analysed based on PROOF (Program for Radar and Optical Observation Forecasting) and using the camera characteristics, specifically by computing the signal-to-noise ratio as a function of debris size and material. This star tracker's maximum distance performance results are then applied together with detectability constraints to simulate, using ESA/ESOC GODOT libraries, when a debris is observed by the camera in space. The results demonstrate that the optical device could detect smaller debris in some of the orbits indicated by MASTER.
Keywords
Space debris / Space debris detection / Star tracker / Space-based detector / Camera performance / Orbit simulation detection
Advances in Space Research
Volume 76, Page 13
2025 September
