Enhanced LEO Custody via Low-Cost Rapidly Deployable Autonomous Daytime Tracking Systems

Recent trends in low-Earth orbit (LEO), such as the increasing number of potential on-orbit threats deployed by foreign militaries and the rise of mega-constellations, have reinforced the need for timely space domain awareness (SDA) in LEO and below. The current U.S. Space Surveillance Network primarily tracks objects in LEO using a small number of high-cost radar systems with limited geographical distribution. Meanwhile, ground-based-optical systems have traditionally been limited to brief windows of nighttime operation from fixed geographical locations when LEO/sub-orbital objects are not in the Earth's shadow. Both approaches result in long time gaps which can lead to temporary loss of custody of a maneuvering spacecraft. Numerica proposes a low-cost, daytime-capable, autonomous, rapidly-deployable observatory-in-a-box, to include optical sensors and advanced tracking software, for enhancing low-Earth orbit (LEO) threat object custody. The proposed technology would leverage Numerica's proven fielded hardware and software including daytime optical tracking technology, SDA domain expertise, and experience integrating sensor systems into containerized platforms. In Phase I, Numerica will engage with potential AF customers, AF end-users, and other key stakeholders, identify product-market fit between Numerica technologies and AF pain points, and formulate pilot trials for potential follow-on efforts to ultimately demonstrate and transition the proposed technology.