Optical detection of closely spaced sources for improved space situational awareness

Patrick Cunningham; Stephen Cain

doi:10.1117/12.2222220

13 May 2016 Optical detection of closely spaced sources for improved space situational awareness

Patrick Cunningham, Stephen Cain

Proceedings Volume 9838, Sensors and Systems for Space Applications IX; 983805 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2222220
Event: SPIE Defense + Security, 2016, Baltimore, MD, United States

Abstract

It is currently possible for space debris to remain undetected in close proximity to satellites. Current detection methods are adept at locating a single object in space, as well as two objects that are greatly separated, but have difficulty finding a second object that is nearby. The problem is exacerbated if the second object appears much dimmer than the first object. The method proposed in this paper would work with existing methods as an additional processing step that would process areas of astronomical images around places where objects are detected. In this case the proposed algorithm is designed to look at a pixel and determine how bright an object would be if there were an object there, then applies a binary hypothesis test to determine if an object is present. In theory, this will have the greatest advantage over existing methods when the objects are very close together or the second object is very dim. The algorithm has been tested on both simulated data and on a laboratory level test and improved the probability of detection by up to 300%.

Citation Download Citation

Patrick Cunningham and Stephen Cain "Optical detection of closely spaced sources for improved space situational awareness", Proc. SPIE 9838, Sensors and Systems for Space Applications IX, 983805 (13 May 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2222220

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KEYWORDS

Photons

Optical transfer functions

Point spread functions

Binary data

Detection and tracking algorithms

Light emitting diodes

Situational awareness sensors

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