Space Imaging for SSA

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When satellite imaging is mentioned, we usually think of satellites taking pictures of the weather, floods or downtown New York. This is one of the primary uses of satellites and one which has brought great benefits to many people. Within space surveillance, satellite imaging refers to taking pictures of satellites on orbit. But why would we want to do that?

One reason is when things don’t go as planned. Satellite operators cannot always see what is happening on the satellite directly, but rely on specific sensors to tell them if something has – or hasn’t – worked. This could be a signal to say that the solar panels have been set correctly. If this signal hasn’t been received, it could mean one of two things. Either the solar panel hasn’t been set correctly or the sensor has malfunctioned. But which one of the two is it? Sometimes this specific situation can be verified because there is no power being generated by the solar panel or the satellite’s attitude moves in such a way that indicates the solar panel is not sticking out of the side of the satellite body. In either case, an independant way to verify this would be useful.

Another reason is during re-entry. The way a space object is oriented can effect large changes in the re-entry profile. It can determine if the satellite will break up high in the atmosphere and these small pieces vapourise without touching the Earth’s surface or if the orientation will cause some drag or lift as it comes through the atmopshere and hence change the impact point. Being able to image an object as it comes close to re-entry and begins to be affected by the atmosphere can really help reduce the uncertainty in both these areas.

A final reason why satellite imaging is important is – as can be guessed – military. Having intelligence regarding the capabilities of satellites in orbit is very useful to military commanders. Using satellite imaging could be a good way to do this.

Of course any specific military requirments are out of the scope of the ESA SSA programme. It can be predicted that the resolution required to perform the first two functions of anomaly resolution and re-entry prediction is much less than that required for the third one.

Europe’s space manufacturing industry – Public Service

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Public Service
Europe's space manufacturing industry
Public Service
Naturally, once in place, these European critical space infrastructures will need to be secured, hence the need for Europe to implement a 'space situational awareness' system. In its communication 'A Budget for Europe 2020', 3 the Commission decided to …

SMi… Vienna Venue (Event) – SatNews Publishers

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SMi… Vienna Venue (Event)
SatNews Publishers
… the opportunity to network with key military space experts from across Europe and the US and hear from a number of high-level speakers discussing key topics including interoperability, national space programs and space situational awareness. …

Europe prepares to face the pressing challenge of space junk

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ABC 06 June 2011

Emmet Fletcher
Space Surveillance and Tracking Manager 

(translated from the original version)

Space junk is now one of the principle threats to orbital satellite systems, on which we depend for a multitude of essential services: from meteorology to the global transport of goods and passengers. It is estimated that a cloud of more than 700,000 dangerous debris objects are in Earth orbit and have the potential to damage or destroy operational satellites. This week, the first European Conference on Space Surveillance (ESS2011) will be held. Organised by the European Space Agency, it will provide a forum where experts around the world can come together to address the problem

The Earth, surround by space debris (artist impression)

ESS2011 represents a milestone in the search for global solutions to address the problem of space junk. The conference hosts more than 150 experts, leaders in the major issues related to space surveillance, from almost all European countries, plus Australia, Canada, China, South Korea, USA and Japan. There are sessions on policy, the tracking of debris fragments using optical and radar observations, and the needs of future users of the European Space Surveillance System.

In order to avoid the consequences of space debris we need to know where the fragments are, which means developing technologies related to  surveillance radars and telescopes.  As part of the European Space Situational Awareness Preparatory Programme (SSA-PP)_ESA is designing a system to track debris and alert satellite operators when evasive action may be necessary.

The part of the program on space debris is being put in place now. The software alerts of possible impacts by fragments of space junk has just been installed and is currently being tested, make a big difference once everything is running.

The element related to the programme concerned with space debris is being developed. The conjunction prediction and warning software is in the process of being installed and is currently being tested.

In parallel, a pan-European study to evaluate debris tracking sensors has just been completed. The task of these sensors is to locate orbital objects and provide sufficient data to accurately calculate its position and velocity. This way, the position can be calculated in the following hours and days. It is essential to know the accuracy of these sensors in order to ensure that ESA is well prepared to create a European catalogue of objects in orbit.

 Impact Warning

We have also launched two calls for proposals from European Industry regarding two vital areas in the areas of SSA. The first is to develop software capable of processing a huge amount of space surveillance data and correlate them with objects seen previously. This ensures that any catalogue of objects can be maintained and the data is of sufficient precision to provide a useful service. The second call is to provide advanced services in the areas of conjunction prediction and re-entry impact prediction.

Of course, there is much more to be done. In parallel to these activities, we are working with European industry and academia to design the next generation of space surveillance systems. At present, Europe does not have the ability to provide full coverage of all the critical orbital regions. We aim to be able to present a full and comprehensive proposal and the end of 2012. This proposal must be both suitable to provide the needed proposal, as well as be as economic as possible. This is a challenge, but one which European industry is well placed to solve.

Space is a shared resource, and we hope it will remain as such for future generations. There is a common interest to work together to provide a comprehensive solution to the Space Surveillance challenges and this outlines the importance of ESS2011.

We have also launched a call for proposals to European industry for two vital areas in the segment of the SSA space surveillance. The first is to develop software capable of processing a huge amount of space surveillance data, and link the new readings with the objects we have detected in the past. This keeps an updated catalogue of objects, and ensures that data are precise enough to provide a useful service. The second call for proposals is also crucial, and it has to do with the alert service development and re-entry impact.

Of course, there’s more to do. In parallel we are working together with European industry and academia to design the next generation of space surveillance systems and monitoring. At present, Europe cannot really sweep the space and need to provide full, but we must ensure that the design and architecture we propose for the end of 2012 work as expected and realistic cost. This presents a challenge, but I’m sure that with the resources of ESA and Member States will succeed.

The space is a shared resource, and we make sure to remain so in the future. So there is a common interest in comparing experiences in special surveillance. Hence the importance of the conference ESS2011.

Scanning the skies for debris hazards

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Today, orbiting satellites are threatened by some 700,000 pieces of debris. Assessing related risks requires surveillance, tracking and statistical observations with radars and telescopes. ESA is designing a system to catalogue debris and warn satellite operators when to take evasive action.

This week, over 150 global experts will meet at an ESA-organised conference to share the latest research findings on space debris, surveillance technology, orbital hazard detection and satellite safety. The first European Space Surveillance Conference (ESS2011) will be held 7–9 June in Madrid, Spain.
The conference spotlights ESA’s Space Situational Awareness (SSA) programme, now in the preliminary phase, which aims to put in place a ‘three-legged’ system to warn of hazards posed by orbital debris, space weather and natural objects like asteroids that may strike Earth.

Extensive reuse of existing resources

Since 2009, the Agency’s SSA team have been working to define the system’s overall technical structure, while actively evaluating existing European assets, such as scientific research radars and telescopes, which could contribute to SSA.

The development strategy is based on an extensive use of national and European assets, as well as the procurement of the missing components of the future SSA System.

2011 is a busy year for SSA surveillance development activities, perhaps the most urgent leg of the programme.

Complex engineering and scientific challenge

A new generation of software was recently implemented to warn when satellites could be hit by orbiting debris.

“At the moment, it is undergoing extensive testing using known debris orbits, but it’s a first step toward the software we’ll use when Europe has its own surveillance capability,” says ESA’s Emmet Fletcher, Head of the Space Surveillance and Tracking Segment at the SSA programme office.

Hosting an international conference like ESS2011 is crucial for staying up to date with global best practises and meeting scientific experts who work with current-generation radars and telescopes.

Debris surveillance is a complex engineering and scientific challenge in part due to the fact that even a tiny piece of debris – just 1 centimetre across – can seriously damage or even destroy a functioning satellite if it impacts at orbital velocities.\

“We are now finalising a pan-European survey and test of existing tracking facilities, such as radars and telescopes located in France, Germany, Italy, Norway, UK, Switzerland and Spain,” says Emmet.

“Knowing how precise these are is fundamental to designing ESA’s new SSA system, which may make use of their data in combination with debris readings obtained by new, highly accurate radars and telescopes in the future.

“We know there is a huge amount of knowledge across Europe and globally. Having a single forum where experts from around the world can meet and present new information is vital and helps move our collective know-how forward.

“New techniques, new approaches and sharing past experience helps all space-faring nations work more safely in orbit.”

Conference brings together global experts

At the conference, over 150 experts from more than 20 nations will take in over 50 presentations. There are also dedicated information sessions on policy, optical and radar observations, and engineering design as well as presentations from the future customers of the SSA system.

Today, Europe cannot scan as much of space as necessary to provide comprehensive debris warning services to private and public spacecraft operators, like those flying telecommunication, climate and weather satellites.

“But we have to ensure that the design for the next-generation debris surveillance and tracking systems that SSA will propose at the end of the current preliminary phase in 2012 will perform as needed at a cost that is realistic,” says Emmet.

“This is a challenging task, and achieving it means that conferences like ESS2011, involving a large number of experts, are crucial for knowing the best way forward.”

Link: http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/SSA/SEM61NJ4LOG_0.html