Low-Observable, Closely-Spaced Targets Detector/Trackers

ABSTRACT: The spaceborne IR detection and tracking of low-observable and/or closely-spaced (LOCS) space objects, presents a major theoretical and practical challenge. A significant number of space objects are not only closely-spaced, but are also embedded in a large number of other Resident Space Objects (RSOs) of various degrees of observability. Worse still, LOCS space targets will be obscured by a variety of background clutter sources due to terrain, atmosphere, cloud, and othe emissions. The LOCS problem will challenge the capabilities of conventional approaches such as multi-hypothesis trackers (MHTs). The Scientific Systems Company, Inc. (SSCI) team proposes a foundational, unified statistical approach for the detection and tracking of LOCS targets. Our baseline approach is the cardinalized probability hypothesis density (CPHD) filter, which presumes a priori models of the clutter background. Beyond our baseline approach, we propose new"clutter agnostic"CPHD filters that do not require a priori knowledge of clutter statistics. Rather, they attempt to estimate the clutter background, on-the-fly, directly from the measurements, while simultaneously detecting and tracking targets. The project team includes Dr. Ronald Mahler of Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin will provide both technical and commercialization support in the application of detecting and tracking low-observable and/or closely-spaced targets, during all phases of the project. BENEFIT: Resolution of closely-spaced targets, using all available sources of data, is of primary importance to the military to achieve information supremacy in both airborne and space environments. A potential transition is to the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) or the the Space Surveillance Tracking System (STSS). Commercial application exists in areas such as air traffic control and air security.