A method for adjusting the path of a satellite to limit a risk of collision with items of debris each having a date of closest pass with the satellite is disclosed including: propagating at least one orbit from the reference path of the satellite according to at least one manoeuvre to the farthest date of closest pass; determining a probability of collision for each item of debris according to the at least one orbit; determining at least one overall probability according to the set of probabilities determined; selecting the lowest overall probability from among the at least one overall probability obtained; determining a command for the satellite including the manoeuvre associated with the lowest overall probability.

A method for adjusting the path of a satellite to limit a risk of collision with items of debris each having a date of closest pass with the satellite is disclosed including: propagating at least one orbit from the reference path of the satellite according to at least one manoeuvre to the farthest date of closest pass; determining a probability of collision for each item of debris according to the at least one orbit; determining at least one overall probability according to the set of probabilities determined; selecting the lowest overall probability from among the at least one overall probability obtained; determining a command for the satellite including the manoeuvre associated with the lowest overall probability.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for identifying and tracking objects (e.g., debris, particles, space vehicles, etc.) using one or more light detection and ranging (LIDAR)-based sensors are disclosed. Such systems, apparatuses, and methods may be particularly beneficial for detecting millimeter scale and/or sub-millimeter scale objects. Such systems, apparatuses, and methods may be used for detection of objects in space, in the atmosphere, or in the ocean, for example.

A method for estimating collision between a satellite in orbit and at least one piece of space debris having a time of closest approach to the satellite is disclosed including: obtaining the reference orbit of the satellite; determining an ephemeris of state transition data representative of the trajectory of the reference orbit; communicating the reference orbit and the ephemeris of state transition data to the satellite. The method includes the steps on board the satellite of: determining the true orbital position of the satellite; propagating the true orbit; calculating a probability of collision between the satellite and the piece of debris.

A method for estimating collision between a satellite in orbit and at least one piece of space debris having a time of closest approach to the satellite is disclosed including: obtaining the reference orbit of the satellite; determining an ephemeris of state transition data representative of the trajectory of the reference orbit; communicating the reference orbit and the ephemeris of state transition data to the satellite. The method includes the steps on board the satellite of: determining the true orbital position of the satellite; propagating the true orbit; calculating a probability of collision between the satellite and the piece of debris.

The present disclosure provides a system that searches for and finds orbital debris that can be a hazard to satellites and the like, for which the debris is sunlit. The system includes a ground-based telescope pointed at the sky; a detector array that detects images of the sunlit debris crossing the field of the detector; and a processing system that computes tracks from the detector data using a hierarchical algorithm, which builds longer tracks from previously computed shorter tracks, determines whether the computed tracks correspond to valid debris detections, and converts the track computations into debris brightness and debris orbital trajectory.

The present disclosure provides a system that searches for and finds orbital debris that can be a hazard to satellites and the like, for which the debris is sunlit. The system includes a ground-based telescope pointed at the sky; a detector array that detects images of the sunlit debris crossing the field of the detector; and a processing system that computes tracks from the detector data using a hierarchical algorithm, which builds longer tracks from previously computed shorter tracks, determines whether the computed tracks correspond to valid debris detections, and converts the track computations into debris brightness and debris orbital trajectory.

Systems, methods and apparatus related to a self-preservation/self-protection system (SPS). The SPS system includes a local area situation awareness sensor suite (LASASS), multiple central pattern generator (mCPG) decision circuitries and related actuators. The SPS system utilizes the LASASS, mCPG circuitries and actuators to perform the desired processing and effectuate changes in the position of an object to be detected or avoided.

Systems, methods and apparatus related to a self-preservation/self-protection system (SPS). The SPS system includes a local area situation awareness sensor suite (LASASS), multiple central pattern generator (mCPG) decision circuitries and related actuators. The SPS system utilizes the LASASS, mCPG circuitries and actuators to perform the desired processing and effectuate changes in the position of an object to be detected or avoided.

Orbital debris removal (ODR) systems under the present approach may use a ground- or surface-based FEL and mirror system with sufficient power and both spatial and temporal resolution to both locate Category II OD (1 cm to 10 cm diameter) in low Earth orbit (LEO, 160 to 2000 km altitude) and remove these objects from orbit. Locating the Category II OD is performed by having the light beam from an FEL and its beam director scan a volume of space of interest and then observing the light reflected from the OD. Removing the OD may include heating the OD to a sufficiently high temperature to evaporate the OD, changing the orbit of the OD such as to lower the perigee, or both. Megawatt-class MOPA FELs for, inter alia, removing OD, are described.