Photon Counting Sensor for In-space Debris Detection

Astrobotic proposes the development of an in-space sensor system based on state-of-the-art ultralow-noise photon counting cameras and onboard high-performance processing capable of detecting and tracking debris well below 10 cm. In-space debris detection brings the sensor above the obfuscating atmosphere and closer to the targets of interest under the right combination of relative illumination conditions. The extremely low noise and high rate of photon counting cameras based on single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detectors relative to traditional frame cameras enables the reliable detection of very small, faint, and fast-moving debris. Astrobotic’s high performance space compute with hardware-accelerated computer vision combined with heritage space situational awareness (SSA) software enables real-time debris detection. We propose, UltraNav Q, a Quanta Imaging Sensor derivate of Astrobotic’s existing UltraNav sensor platform to enable practical tracking, avoidance, and removal of small debris. A constellation could host multiple low-cost sensors with overlapping FOVs to provide coincident detection, yielding range measurements. Astrobotic brings expertise in designing, developing, integrating, and validating hardware, software, and simulation tools for space-based optical sensor systems for lunar landing, relative navigation for RPOD, and SSA. In Phase I, the Astrobotic-led team will: 1) Develop a detailed ConOps, system architecture, and design reference missions, 2) Characterize COTS photon counting cameras and model of pixel-level behavior, 3) Integrate photon counting into existing physics-based simulation tools, 4) Optimize existing onboard SSA software for photon counting data, and 5) Evaluate processing and interfaces for in-space compute. Upon the conclusion of Phase I, the system will be well positioned to continue toward rapidly developing and testing a prototype system and flight hardware design in Phase II and an early in-space demonstration.