Innovative methods for trackability and identification improvement of small objects for space traffic management

Abstract

Technology solutions and operational implications need a evaluation for their crucial role in tracking and identification methodologies. The growth of objects in Earth orbit have made it more important that every space system can be accounted for to be able manage the collision risk between all space objects. Tracking and identification are intimately related as enhanced tracking capabilities minimizes the need for special identification techniques. For both features, the difference between active and passive systems are discussed. Tracking is primarily optical or radar; which of these that is being used drives the most operationally-relevant identification solutions. For example, radar tags can be made to be respond to the radio frequency (RF) energy from the radar and laser reflectors can be completely passive. Whereas identification aids for use by optical tracking are active light sources (of some selected frequency) requiring a power source.