Ground-based Radar Space Object Identification (SOI) for Space Situational Awareness (SSA)

The United States is heavily invested in, and dependent on, space assets for both military and commercial applications. These assets must be protected from man-made and natural space objects that pose a threat. An improved all-weather, day or night Space Object Identification (SOI) and tracking capability would enhance Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and support improved protection of U.S. space assets. Technology Service Corporation (TSC) is proposing an innovative ground-based radar SOI capability that can provide ultra-high resolution three-dimensional (3-D) radar images of space objects, while simultaneously estimating the motion state of the object. Object features including length and volume can be estimated, object maneuvers can be detected, and future space-time paths of objects predicted. BENEFIT: TSC’s approach relies on an innovative physics-based signal processing technique and is compatible with current Space Surveillance Network (SSN) assets. Our algorithms can provide a new tool for intelligence data collection against foreign satellites and for the characterization of space debris. The technology can be used as a diagnostic tool for the investigation of spacecraft anomalies, providing attitude, shape, and motion characterization of spacecraft. Our techniques can also verify successful deployments during space missions. These same techniques are also useful for discriminating threats during the midcourse phase of ballistic missile defense.