Novel Methods for Satellite Attitude Maneuver Detection
Abstract
One of the foundational needs for space situational awareness (SSA) is the ability to determine anattitude maneuver. The attitude control system control mode (e.g. safe-mode, Sun-pointing,detumbling, etc.) is one element of spacecraft behavior that can be used to characterize attributesof unknown objects, such as debris objects, and assess intent of active spacecraft. Specifically, forintent any change in an attitude mode may be a precursor to activities that may affect otherspacecraft. Hence, determining an attitude change is an important aspect to improve SSA. TheUniversity at Buffalo has developed two novel approaches to determine an attitude change of anactive spacecraft. The first approach uses passively obtained light reflecting magnitude-over-time(i.e. a light curve) information from either ground or space-borne telescopes. Wavelets and glintwidthinformation are used to detect an attitude maneuver in near real-time from a change in theassociated light curve data. The second approach is based on using the signal-to-noise (SNR) ratiofrom a communication stream or other active stream from an active spacecraft. The approach isbased on using multiple antennas placed at various locations on the ground, and then using theestimated SNR ratio to determine a line-of-slight (LOS) measurement from each antenna to thespacecraft. Then an algorithm is used that ingests all LOS measurements, and determines anattitude change if one occurs. Simulation results of both approaches provide a basis of optimismthat they can be used to determine actual attitude maneuvers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 19, 2018
- Source ID
- FA95501810489
Entities
People
- John Crassidis
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Research Foundation for the State University of New York
- United States Air Force