Adaptive optics for space debris tracking

Francis Bennet*, Celine D'Orgeville, Yue Gao, William Gardhouse, Nicolas Paulin, Ian Price, Francois Rigaut, Ian T. Ritchie, Craig H. Smith, Kristina Uhlendorf, Yanjie Wang

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    17 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Space debris in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is becoming an increasing threat to satellite and spacecraft. A reliable and cost effective method for detecting possible collisions between orbiting objects is required to prevent an exponential growth in the number of debris. Current RADAR survey technologies used to monitor the orbits of thousands of space debris objects are relied upon to manoeuvre operational satellites to prevent possible collisions. A complimentary technique, ground-based laser LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) have been used to track much smaller objects with higher accuracy than RADAR, giving greater prediction of possible collisions and avoiding unnecessary manoeuvring. Adaptive optics will play a key role in any ground based LIDAR tracking system as a cost effective way of utilising smaller ground stations or less powerful lasers. The use of high power and high energy lasers for the orbital modification of debris objects will also require an adaptive optic system to achieve the high photon intensity on the target required for photon momentum transfer and laser ablation. EOS Space Systems have pioneered the development of automated laser space debris tracking for objects in low Earth orbit. The Australian National University have been developing an adaptive optics system to improve this space debris tracking capability at the EOS Space Systems Mount Stromlo facility in Canberra, Australia. The system is integrated with the telescope and commissioned as an NGS AO system before moving on to LGS AO and tracking operations. A pulsed laser propagated through the telescope is used to range the target using time of flight data. Adaptive optics is used to increase the maximum range and number or targets available to the LIDAR system, by correcting the uplink laser beam. Such a system presents some unique challenges for adaptive optics: high power lasers reflecting off deformable mirrors, high slew rate tracking, and variable off-axis tracking correction. A low latency real time computer system is utilised to control the systems, with a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor and deformable mirror running at 1500 frames per second. A laser guide star is used to probe the atmosphere and the tracked debris object is used as a natural guide star for tip-tilt correction.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationAdaptive Optics Systems IV
    EditorsJean-Pierre Veran, Enrico Marchetti, Laird M. Close
    PublisherSPIE
    ISBN (Electronic)9780819496164
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2014
    EventAdaptive Optics Systems IV - Montreal, Canada
    Duration: 22 Jun 201427 Jun 2014

    Publication series

    NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
    Volume9148
    ISSN (Print)0277-786X
    ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

    Conference

    ConferenceAdaptive Optics Systems IV
    Country/TerritoryCanada
    CityMontreal
    Period22/06/1427/06/14

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