Data Fusion for Enhanced Deep Space Surveillance

This Small business Innovation Research Phase I project will determine the benefits of fusing available optical sensor data with the ALTAIR range and range-rate data for improving the quality of the orbital element sets on deep space satellites. The expected improvement in the ability of Space Track sensors to locate deep space objects over a range of extrapolation times due to the better quality orbital element sets will be evaluated. Any necessary upgrades to the optical sensors will be reviewed. The potential for reduced tasking of sensors of the Space Surveillance Network will be evaluated. XonTech experience with KMR site operations, the Space Surveillance Network, multiple sensor tracking algorithms and software, and our optical sensor design skills will all be used to accomplish these evaluations.