[Paper Review] Space Debris detection and tracking with the techniques of cosmic ray physics

H. Miyamoto, Matteo Battisti+46 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Sep 12, 2019

Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics8 references6 citations

TL;DR

This paper proposes using cosmic ray detection techniques, specifically a space-borne fluorescence telescope like Mini-EUSO, to detect and track space debris (SD) by observing sunlight reflected off debris. Simulations and real-world tests confirmed detection of a rocket body, demonstrating feasibility for detecting cm-sized debris up to 100 km away with a reflectance of ~0.5, estimating ~45 SD detections per year.

ABSTRACT

Space Debris (SD) consist of non-operational artificial objects orbiting around the Earth, which could possibly damage space vehicles, such as the International Space Station (ISS) or other manned spacecrafts. The vast majority of such objects are cm-sized, not catalogued and usually the tracking data are not precise enough. Here we present the feasibility study of SD detection and tracking with techniques usually employed in cosmic-ray physics. For this purpose, we have evaluated the possibility of using Mini-EUSO, a space-borne fluorescence telescope to be deployed on the ISS, to track SD illuminated by the Sun. By means of ESAF (EUSO Simulation and analysis Framework) simulation and by developing the trigger algorithms, we estimated the minimum size and maximum distances of detectable SD. We then studied the number of possible SD detections using an ESA software called MASTER (Meteoroid and SD Terrestrial Environment Reference). With the Mini-EUSO Engineering Model (Mini-EUSO EM), we performed some measurements to estimate the reflectance of the most common SD materials and to demonstrate the ability of Mini-EUSO to detect SD events. We also performed some tests in open-sky conditions, identifying and tracking fast-moving objects. In particular, the detection of a rocket body allowed us to confirm the simulation outcomes predictions and the expected performance of the detector.

Motivation & Objective

• To assess the feasibility of detecting and tracking space debris (SD) using techniques from cosmic ray physics.
• To evaluate the performance of a Mini-EUSO-like telescope in detecting SD illuminated by sunlight during sunrise/sunset.
• To validate simulation results with laboratory and open-sky measurements of debris reflectance and detectable objects.
• To develop and test a trigger algorithm for real-time detection of fast-moving SD objects.
• To estimate the annual detection rate of SD and assess tracking accuracy using ESAF and MASTER simulations.

Proposed method

• Utilized ESAF (EUSO Simulation and Analysis Framework) to simulate light propagation, detector response, and reconstruction of SD reflections.
• Designed a trigger algorithm scanning 25 virtual Elementary Cells (ECs) on the Photo-Detector-Module (PDM), detecting 5 consecutive L3_GTUs (40.96 ms) with pixel excess above background by 3σ.
• Used Mini-EUSO Engineering Model (EM) to measure reflectance of common SD materials, with mean reflectance ~0.5 and polished aluminum at 0.92.
• Conducted open-sky observations at Pino-Torinese Observatory to detect fast-moving objects, including a rocket body.
• Scaled detected object parameters (size, distance, brightness) to estimate performance for SD detection under various reflectance and distance conditions.
• Combined ESAF simulations with MASTER software to estimate annual detection rate and validate tracking predictions.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 Can a Mini-EUSO-like telescope detect space debris by observing sunlight reflected off its surface?
• RQ2 What is the minimum detectable size and maximum distance of space debris using this method?
• RQ3 How accurate is the trigger algorithm in identifying fast-moving, faint debris tracks in real-time?
• RQ4 To what extent do laboratory reflectance measurements of SD materials align with simulation assumptions?
• RQ5 What is the expected annual detection rate of space debris using this approach?

Key findings

• The Mini-EUSO EM successfully detected a rocket body during open-sky observations, confirming the feasibility of the detection method.
• The detected rocket body, estimated at 2.8 m × 2.6 m on a 530 km orbit, corresponds to a 5.6 cm radius object at 100 km or 2.8 cm at 50 km from the telescope, matching simulation predictions.
• Reflectance measurements showed values from 0.17 (electronics board) to 0.92 (polished aluminum), with a mean of ~0.5 used in simulations, consistent with detection outcomes.
• Simulations with the ESAF framework and trigger algorithm predict detection of ~45 space debris objects per year with a reflectance of 0.5.
• The detection performance remains plausible even at a reflectance of 0.1, though higher reflectance is more consistent with observed data.
• The trigger algorithm successfully identified and tracked the rocket body, validating its potential for real-time debris detection and tracking.