Resident Space Object Characterization Using Natural Illumination

Computational Physics, Inc. (CPI) proposes to develop a natural illumination model of the earthshine and skyshine incident on resident space objects (RSOs).   The model will be designed to support the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) mission by modeling the extent that natural sources illuminate the RSOs in ultraviolet, visible, and infrared wavebands to support space-based space surveillance.  Readily available real-world data from operational space-based sensors will be used to generate realistic illumination conditions for specific viewing geometries.  First-principles models will be used to extend the applicability of the data to different wavebands, viewing geometries, and solar illumination conditions, where needed.   CPI will use its Shine architecture as the framework for this illumination model.  The Shine architecture is designed to incorporate the use of fast running algorithms developed within the computer graphics community and take advantage of massively parallel computing hardware.  The result will be a high performance tool that can be incorporated into SSA simulations.   BENEFIT: CPI expects that the primary benefit and commercial application is to support the United States Air Forces Space Situational Awareness (SSA) mission.  We anticipate the need for a high performance, high fidelity natural illumination model to support digital simulations and hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) simulations for testing space surveillance systems capabilities as they exist now (e.g. Space Based Surveillance System (SBSS) sensor) or as they are being planned and designed for the future.  One purpose would be to help assess the limits of space-based sensors in acquiring new RSOs under different viewing geometries.  A secondary market that will be pursued is the commercial satellite market. Increasing uncertainties in global geopolitics represent new risks to commercial satellite manufacturers and to the companies that insure them.  There may be a interest in developing satellites that are more difficult to observe via EO/IR sensors, or understanding their potential visibility.