HEADGTSM: HPC EnAbled Distributed Game-Theoretic Sensor Management for Space Situational Awareness

ABSTRACT:The space domain today is becoming increasingly congested. The detection, classification, and tracking of Resident Space Objects (RSO) is critical for space situational awareness. How to best utilize available sensing resources becomes extremely important. The Phase I effort has resulted in a high Performance Computing enabled Distributed Game theoretic Sensor Management software Suite (HEADGT) for RSO detection, classification, and tracking. We obtained promising results which clearly demonstrate that IFTs HEADGT software suite provides innovative and effective game theoretic approach for sensor resource management with consideration of various operational constraints. The developed HEADGT integrates space object classification and tracking, heterogeneous sensor measurements fusion, maneuver detection, collision alert, sensor modeling, game theoretic modeling and solution, hardware implementation, and visualization system. In the phase II project, we will refine, extend, and optimize our Phase I system concept and models to meet the realistic requirements of the Air Force for RSO detection, classification and tracking. In addition, IFT team will 1), extend and tie all the models developed in Phase I using high performance computing enabled implementations, 2), enhance the hardware prototype, 3), enrich interfaces with other SSA testbeds such as Space Fence System.BENEFIT:The proposed HEADGTSM toolbox has tremendous application potential in many military applications. It can be used to defensive counter space mission to protect high value space assets, collision avoidance, detection, tracking, classification space objects. In addition, it is applicable to relevant Defense Acquisition Programs within DoD such as Space Fence System, SSN - space surveillance network, SBSS - the Space Based Space Surveillance system, SBIRS - Space-Based Infrared System program, WGS - Wideband Global SATCOM, JSARS - JSPOC Situational Awareness Response System, DCGS-X - Distributed Common Ground System program (Air Force), DCGS-N -Distributed Common Ground Station-Navy, DCGS-A - DCGS Army system. For some of these programs we already have support and know considerable program details. The market for military applications is quite large and IFT has successfully transitioned research prototypes for inclusion in DoD contractor research simulations. This technology could also benefit deep space exploration and other scientific research activities in space research and development. Other potential commercial applications include monitoring the civilian networks, such as finance, medicine, communications, electric power, nuclear energy, internet service provider, air traffic control, etc. In addition, police and first responders for NASA, US Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, multi-layered sensing, disaster assessment, the national weather service, physical security systems, law enforcement agency, emergency control center, border and coast patrol, pollution monitoring, remote sensing and global awareness could be a potential application.