Space Debris Detection and Characterization using an in-situ LIDAR Sensor Platform

This proposal supports the Heliophysics Instrument Development for Science (H-TIDeS) program. It aims to advance the development of new instruments and technologies and their application to key heliophysics science missions. The goal of this proposal is to mature an Aerospace LIDAR instrument via the H-TIDeS program and enable an inflight demonstration. We focus on a sub-element of this program, the Instrument Technology Development on the Space Working Environment (ITD-SWE) specifically aimed at characterizing the population of small space objects and their dynamics, and to investigate the interaction of this population with a spacecraft body inasmuch as it leads to an altered local science environment. The Aerospace Corporation’s (Aerospace) Physical Sciences Laboratories has developed technology to address the small debris detection and characterization problem using a pulsed LIDAR-based sensor system that generates a short-range optical fan shaped beam. Given its pulsed nature and over a predetermined duty cycle it is designed to detect small debris passing through this “laser net”. The goal is to design a LIDAR system that can operate within the constraints of a small, standardized satellite platform or hosted payload. The ability to house the sensor on either a satellite platform or a hosted payload will significantly increase the options for launch opportunities and simplify development of multiple configurations of the sensor. The small size also facilitates its utility as a hosted payload on larger satellites. This is a novel approach to the detection and characterization of space debris, in-situ, and without tactile contact. Moreover, it provides a detection area that is two orders of magnitude larger than the current state-of-the-art which is a one square meter impact detector. Such a mission will advance the concept of using LIDAR sensors on space-based platforms for more than ranging applications. The recent experiments conducted at the Aerospace have determined that the commercial-off-the-shelf lasers, detectors, and filters meet the technical specifications and mission requirements for small debris detection in low earth orbit (LEO). This laboratory bench experiment provided a proof-of-concept demonstration that determined if the data from a LIDAR sensor matched the simulations. Consequently, the experiment has raised the LIDAR sensor system Technology Readiness Level (TRL) value between two and three based on the initial results. Further lab-bench experimentation will lead to higher TRL values in addition to studies that are focusing on means to miniaturize the prototype and make it operable on multiple space-based platforms. A science goal of this proposal is to characterize the micrometeorite and small space debris population at low earth orbit (ISS altitude); the impact on spacecraft operations and on the science, instruments typically carried to investigate HPD science. The Aerospace team intends to address this goal by expanding development of the debris detecting LIDAR sensor system to function as a hosted payload, specifically at or near ISS altitudes. Recent development efforts at Aerospace via laboratory experiments and prototype advances should place the TRL value at four. In this specific research opportunity, we propose to a) procure and test near-flight ready components of the LIDAR system within a current laboratory construct, and b) package the LIDAR system into a mobile prototype for conduct high velocity ground tests. This will be supported by a) modeling and simulation of the LIDAR system components, b) a configuration analysis for a hosted payload on the ISS, c) a study of the concept of operations (ConOps) for detecting and characterizing small debris on or near the ISS. The end product at the conclusion of this research will raise the TRL value to six.

Support NASA's Heliophysics strategic science objectives to understand the Sun and its interactions with Earth and the solar system, including space weather. This will be achieved by developing/demonstrating instrumentation technology necessary to address the following science goals: Explore the physical processes in the space environment from the Sun to the Earth and throughout the solar system; Advance our understanding of the connections that link the Sun, the Earth, planetary space environments, and the outer reaches of our solar system; Develop the knowledge and capability to detect and predict extreme conditions in space to protect life and society and to safeguard human and robotic explorers beyond Earth.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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