How to Improve Small Satellite Missions in Two Easy Steps:

Transcription

1 How to Improve Small Satellite Missions in Two Easy Steps: Adopting Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines and Improving Space Surveillance Network Tracking Support G. Taft DeVere Jason C. Randolph Headquarters Air Force Space Command DoD Distribution A; Approved for Public Release; distribution unlimited

2 Satellite Population Visualization

3 Space Debris Overview Currently, over 10,000 man-made made earth objects tracked regularly by US Space Surveillance Network FRAGMENTATION DEBRIS 40.5% OPERATIONAL SPACECRAFT 7.5% NON-OPERATIONAL SPACECRAFT 23% MISSION-RELATED DEBRIS 11% LAUNCH VEHICLE UPPER STAGES 18%

4 Debris Mitigation US Guidelines Orbital debris included in all national space policies since 1988 Current National Space Policy (PDD-NSC NSC- 49/NSTC-8, Sep 1996) expanded orbital debris guidance, adopted in 2001: Control of debris released during normal operations Minimization of debris generated by accidental explosions Selection of safe flight profile and operational configuration Post-mission disposal of space structure FCC recently added regulations in this area i.e., Post mission disposal within 25 years

5 Debris Mitigation International Guidelines Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) is an international governmental forum composed of most space-faring countries IADC has developed debris mitigation guidelines Limit debris released during normal operations Minimize the Potential for On-Orbit Orbit Break-ups Post Mission Disposal ( 25( year rule ) Prevention of On-Orbit Orbit Collisions UN has developed draft mitigation guidelines Similar to IADC guidelines

6 Debris Mitigation Summary Debris mitigation guidelines exist and are in place Guidelines adopted and used by most space- faring countries/agencies Small satellite designers and operators should adopt mitigation guidelines Future viability of space operations may be dependent upon effective management of debris population

7 SSN Overview Space Surveillance Network (SSN) Worldwide network of optical and radar sensors Tracking data processed at Cheyenne Mountain AFS 1 st Space Control Squadron (1 SPCS) 2-line elements sets generated Distributed through the Space Track Web site Over 10,000 man-made made objects routinely tracked Goal is to track all detectable objects Many small satellite operators rely on NORAD element sets (TLE s, elsets, Keps,, etc) for spacecraft operation

8 SSN Sensor Distribution Phased-Array Radar Site (8) Dish Radar Site (5) Optical Site (5) Radar Fence (1)

9 Small Satellite Challenges Small object sizes and similarities Detection and discrimination challenges Cubesats and smaller are particularly difficult Multi-satellite deployments Object correlation difficulties Separation sequence and timing > 20 seconds recommended Separation velocity > 5 meters/sec recommended

10 Small Satellite Tracking Launch and Early Orbit Tracking Elset 1 Publication Requires sufficient data for an accurate element set Cataloging process Positive identification/discrimination New launches vs. historical launches Pre-launch information is beneficial Routine Tracking Maintenance phase SSN tasking Elset updates

11 Separation Timeline SSN obs show the slow separation of payloads -7 objects seen here Separation needed to prevent cross tagging D elta Tim e (m ins) (Each dot is one SSN observation) Time (Day of Year)

12 Special Events Anomaly Resolution SSN support Satellites have been recovered using 1 SPCS data products Collision Avoidance (CA) Screening Only performed for special circumstances Too many objects to perform full catalog screening ISS/manned spaceflight objects are screened daily Post-event analysis performed if a collision is suspected

13 Improving SSN Tracking Recommendations Coordinate launch trajectory and initial orbit information with 1 SPCS; results in timely elsets Information regarding deployment sequence, separation timing, and object shape and size is extremely beneficial for the SSN Use sequential separation timing of > 20 seconds Use separation velocity > 5 meters/second Report problems identified in two-line element set Wrong object, bad orbit parameters, etc Notify 1 SPCS if assistance is desired with issues regarding satellite anomalies and/or loss of contact

14 Data Exchange Element sets available through Space Track Other data available through a Form 1 request contact: 1 SPCS Launch Officer inbox: 1 SPCS Launch Officer inbox: 1spcs_launch@afspc.af.mil

15 Contact Information Taft DeVere (AFSPC/A9AC) Jason Randolph (AFSPC/A9AC)