Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC

Sergei Nikolaev

Scot S Olivier

Alexander Pertica

Willem H De Vries

Donald W Phillion

John R Henderson

Vincent Riot

Brian J Bauman

Matthew A Horsley

Joanne L Levatin

Harry K Springer

Ming Jiang

A space object modeling system that models the evolution of space debris is provided. The modeling system simulates interaction of space objects at simulation times throughout a simulation period. The modeling system includes a propagator that calculates the position of each object at each simulation time based on orbital parameters. The modeling system also includes a collision detector that, for each pair of objects at each simulation time, performs a collision analysis. When the distance between objects satisfies a conjunction criterion, the modeling system calculates a local minimum distance between the pair of objects based on a curve fitting to identify a time of closest approach at the simulation times and calculating the position of the objects at the identified time. When the local minimum distance satisfies a collision criterion, the modeling system models the debris created by the collision of the pair of objects.

Modeling the long-term evolution of space debris

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.

Monitoring objects orbiting earth using satellite-based telescopes

Scheduler for monitoring objects orbiting earth using satellite-based telescopes

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Sacramento, CA, United States of America

Sergei Nikolaev