Comparison of Novel Heuristic and Integer Programming Schedulers for the USAF Space Surveillance Network
Abstract
Space is a highly congested and contested domain begetting the importance of prioritizing the Space Situational Awareness (SSA) mission, especially that of scheduling and tasking the Space Surveillance Network (SSN). According to the 2004 USSTRATCOM Strategic Directive 505-1 (SD 505-1) the SSN uses centralized tasking, with decentralized scheduling. This research develops and compares novel scheduling model reflecting the 2004 SD 505-1. Novel schedulers were developed to reduce time gaps between observations, prioritize high value space objects, and retain maximum observation quality. In both single and multi-sensor scenarios, these novel schedulers maintained the same, or higher, levels of observation threshold retention in high priority targets, while increasing observation threshold gains in lower categories. Simulations using the novel schedulers showed at least 3 percent improvement in meeting threshold requirements, 12 percent decrease in mean time between observations, and up to 9 percent decrease in maximum time between observations. Finally, these benefits were realized with a nominal increase in processing time for most novel schedulers. Results of this research can educate national policy makers on benefits of proposed upgrades to current and future SSA systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 21, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1077381
Entities
People
- Kanit Dararutana
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology