The Aerospace Corporation

Glenn Earl Peterson

Henry Helvajian

Russell Paul Patera

David Cardoza

Joseph Gangestad

Marlon Sorge

Shawn Perdue

John McVey

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for identifying and tracking objects (e.g., debris, particles, space vehicles, etc.) using one or more light detection and ranging (LIDAR)-based sensors are disclosed. Such systems, apparatuses, and methods may be particularly beneficial for detecting millimeter scale and/or sub-millimeter scale objects. Such systems, apparatuses, and methods may be used for detection of objects in space, in the atmosphere, or in the ocean, for example.

Object detection and characterization using a LIDAR-based sensor

A collision prediction and maneuver method determines which ones of many potential target objects have a close conjunction within a gross miss distance with a subject object by trajectory propagation, then determines which one of the conjunctive objects have a high collision probability within a critical miss distance, and then determines an optimum vehicle maneuver to reduce the probability of colliding with another colliding object by determining the maneuver direction, magnitude, and time so that the least amount of propellant is consumed while avoiding potential collisions within miss distance margins. The method includes computational efficiencies in collision probability calculations using trajectory propagations and contour integrations and efficiencies in optimum avoidance maneuvering using gradient and searching computations.

Vehicular trajectory collision avoidance maneuvering method

A method and system for controlling the eccentricity of a near-circular orbit are embodied in a burn controller for an orbiting object (such as a satellite) that is configured to control burns to occur at either an apogee or a perigee of the orbit to effect a desired change in the eccentricity of the orbit. These burns occur at either an apogee or a perigee of the orbit depending upon the satellite's location in the long-period motion of the argument of perigee.

Method and system for controlling the eccentricity of a near-circular orbit

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Redondo Beach, CA, United States of America

Glenn Earl Peterson