Tracking target objects orbiting earth using satellite-based telescopes

摘要

A system for tracking objects that are in earth orbit via a constellation or network of satellites having imaging devices is provided. An object tracking system includes a ground controller and, for each satellite in the constellation, an onboard controller. The ground controller receives ephemeris information for a target object and directs that ephemeris information be transmitted to the satellites. Each onboard controller receives ephemeris information for a target object, collects images of the target object based on the expected location of the target object at an expected time, identifies actual locations of the target object from the collected images, and identifies a next expected location at a next expected time based on the identified actual locations of the target object. The onboard controller processes the collected image to identify the actual location of the target object and transmits the actual location information to the ground controller.

主权项

1. A system for tracking target objects that are in earth orbit via a network of satellites having imaging devices for collecting images, the system comprising:
a ground controller for receiving ephemeris information for target objects and directing at least some of the ephemeris information to be transmitted to the satellites; and an onboard controller of each satellite for receiving ephemeris information for a target object, identifying an observation time and an expected location of the target object at that observation time, orienting an imaging device towards the expected location, collecting an image at the observation time, analyzing the collected image to determine whether the target object is at the expected location, and upon determining that the target object is not at the expected location, identifying an actual location of the target object.