Rapid Mission Planning for Desirable Viewing Conditions

ABSTRACT: This effort involves the design, development and fielding of a software application for automated generation of tasking for observatory imaging of space objects. The application will incorporate capabilities from two AFRL government codes, Satellite Visualization and Signature Tool, and View Scheduler. The application will extend existing geometric constraints for pass selection with simulated and/or archived radiometric data that accurately represents what the telescope sensor is likely to see. The result will be very high confidence that the collection will be successful, an ability to plan missions over multiple observing sessions that are more likely to return the desired diversity of data, and more effective utilization of limited space surveillance resources. To handle the larger computational load, critical algorithms (particularly radiometry calculations) will be modified to run in parallel on multiple CPU cores and/or on the GPU. Interfaces to off-line radiometry databases will allow the application to use real or pre-simulated data when available, either for evaluating radiometric constraints or validating simulated vs. actual imagery. Operators will have the option of hands-on, interactive use, or hands-off batch-mode operation. BENEFIT: Applying accurate radiometric modeling to the mission planning task will allow operators to maximize the quality of image collection, and optimize the utilization of valuable mount time and personnel. Since expected imaging results will be known in advance, analysts can immediately detect differences which may indicate maneuvering or failure of the resident space object (RSO), or perhaps a mistake in object tracking. This information can be used, for example, to quickly task a different sensor for confirmation. These capabilities should have wide applicability to many space imaging missions, including: space-based imaging; small / portable telescopes for both satellite imaging and astronomy; satellite maneuver and failure detection and modeling, orbit determination, and more.