Extending Space Debris Tracking to Sub-10 cm Objects with Next-Generation Radar

LeoLabs Federal, Inc. (LeoLabs) proposes to develop a next-generation ground-based radar system to protect satellites and astronauts from small debris in low Earth orbit (LEO). This technology will address the critical gap between shielding, which is effective for debris I centimeter and smaller, and active collision avoidance, which currently tracks debris IO centimeters and larger. LeoLabs proposes to pursue two activities to deliver on this objective. One, to verify its Ranger™ ground-based radar technology will track debris as small as I centimeter-wide. Designed with modular architecture, this technology supports a range of radar types, from small, mobile radars for monitoring highly maneuverable satellites to powerful fixed-site radars capable of tracking smaller debris. We will also investigate enhancements to enable tracking of the smallest objects, including possible enhancements to develop a higher frequency version of the radar. Two to design the software algorithms to detect and catalog hundreds of thousands of previously untracked small debris. This will be done in a scalable manner, that optimizes the use of radar time and cloud resources. LeoLabs currently maintains an operational catalog with 23,000 objects. LeoLabs will execute Phase I within 180 days, delivering a final report that lays the groundwork for the next phase of development. By the end of Phase II, the company will have a prototype tested on the benchtop, demonstrating its feasibility. Ultimately, this technology will be deployed into LeoLabs’ operational, world-wide LEO safety system that today serves 75% of all the satellites in LEO, US government agencies, and allied government agencies. The current network consists of seven ground-based radar sites housing a total of 11 phased-array radars. LeoLabs designs and operates its own radar technology and maintains the world's largest commercial satellite catalog, along with the cloud-based software system that manages it.