Snapshot GNSS receivers for low-effort, high-gain space situational awareness

This paper proposes a novel concept of using highly efficient Snapshot Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receivers to provide precise position fixes of single or multiple satellites in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) to improve upper atmospheric modeling and thus contribute to superior space situational awareness (SSA). While tracking of LEO...

IN-situ Debris Inventorisation near the Geostationary Orbit (INDIGO): a feasibility study

Recent launches of satellite constellations in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) region have increased the collision probability of existing debris objects with active satellites. Monitoring the trajectories of these debris objects is crucial for Space Situational Awareness (SSA) to prevent the creation of more debris due to unwanted collisions. Much...

Space Surveillance Network Capabilities Evaluation Mission

The last years saw the diffusion of nano, pico and femto satellite missions launched by multiple entities thanks to the launch cost reduction and the electronics miniaturization. Such missions usually present limited capabilities in terms of precise orbit determination and extremely small radar and optical cross-sections. Often these missions...

Improving orbit prediction via thermospheric density calibration

The uncertainty on Thermospheric Mass Density (TMD), as derived from atmospheric models, can reach extremely high values. This effect is noteworthy in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), where atmospheric drag is the main perturbing force, as well as the most uncertain. LEO harbours almost 18,000 space objects at the end of 2021, around 60% of the total...

Tracking the Dark Side on a shoe-string budget

Meaningful SSA work on earth-orbiting satellites can be done on a shoe-string budget, with modest, off the shelf equipment. This has been shown by an informal group of self-funded Independent Space Observers (“ISO’s”) organized around the Seesat-L mailing list. Literally from their backyards, they track some 200 “classified” objects – objects...

Performance Bounds for Cooperative Localisation in Starlink

Large satellite constellations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) have the potential to revolutionise worldwide internet access. The concomitant potential of these large constellations to impact space sustainability, however, has prompted concern from space actors as well as provoking concern in the ground-based astronomy community. Increasing the...

End-of-life of satellite swarms

Satellite swarms offer a high-capability mission architecture with a variety of potential applications in space exploration and discovery. Swarm-based architectures —which comprise multiple agents operating collectively as a distributed system— have been proposed for Earth observation, astronomy, planetary exploration, and heliophysics. Some of...