Spacecraft formation for debris surveillance

This paper explores the viability and performance of a new algorithm for in-orbit space debris surveillance, which utilizes a network of distributed optical sensors carried onboard multiple spacecraft flying in formation. The resulting network of spacecraft is able to autonomously detect unknown debris, as well as track the existing ones, estimate their trajectories, and send the estimation results directly to the mission control centers for planning the required collision avoidance maneuvers. The proposed concept includes (a) an estimation algorithm that allows for sharing observations of common debris objects among spacecraft; (b) a coordination algorithm for the re-orientation of an ad hoc team of spacecraft to align their onboard optical sensors towards common targets; and (c) a control algorithm for the detection and tracking of the debris which uses vision-based attitude maneuvers.