Monitoring objects orbiting earth using satellite-based telescopes

摘要

An ephemeris refinement system includes satellites with imaging devices in earth orbit to make observations of space-based objects (“target objects”) and a ground-based controller that controls the scheduling of the satellites to make the observations of the target objects and refines orbital models of the target objects. The ground-based controller determines when the target objects of interest will be near enough to a satellite for that satellite to collect an image of the target object based on an initial orbital model for the target objects. The ground-based controller directs the schedules to be uploaded to the satellites, and the satellites make observations as scheduled and download the observations to the ground-based controller. The ground-based controller then refines the initial orbital models of the target objects based on the locations of the target objects that are derived from the observations.

主权项

1. A system for monitoring space-based objects, the system comprising:
a plurality of satellites in earth orbit, each satellite having
an imaging device that collects images, anda satellite controller that receives a schedule for collecting an image at a collection time and a collection orientation, orients the imaging device and collects the image in accordance with the schedule, and transmits information relating to the collected image; and a controller that includes:
a scheduler that generates schedules for collecting images of the space-based objects from the satellites;a communication interface that directs transmission of the schedules to the satellites and receives the information relating to the collected images from the satellites; anda data analyzer that generates refined orbital models for the space-based objects based on the received information and initial orbital models.