Photon Counting Sensor for In-space Debris Detection

Astrobotic proposes UltraNav Q, a Quanta Imaging Sensor (QIS) derivate of Astrobotic’s existing UltraNav sensor platform, to enable practical tracking, avoidance, and removal of small debris. Phase II will continue the development of an in-space sensor system based on state-of-the-art ultralow-noise photon counting cameras and onboard high-performance processing capable of detecting and tracking debris far smaller than 10 cm in characteristic length. In-space debris detection brings the sensor above the obfuscating atmosphere and closer to the targets of interest under the right combination of relative illumination conditions. The extremely low noise and high rate of photon counting cameras relative to traditional frame cameras enables the reliable detection of very small, faint, and fast-moving debris. Astrobotic’s high performance space compute with hardware-accelerated computer vision combined with heritage space situational awareness (SSA) software enables real-time debris detection. A constellation could host multiple low-cost sensors with overlapping fields of view to provide coincident detection, yielding range measurements to break range degeneracy that plagues initial orbit determination from angles-only techniques. Upon the conclusion of Phase II efforts, the sensor system will be well positioned to continue toward integration as a hosted payload aboard a cubesat, smallsat, or on the ISS.

In addition to the in-space detection of small debris, Astrobotic is actively exploring other possible science and engineering applications of a photon counting cameras with virtually no read noise. These include high-rate star trackers, high dynamic range perception for RPOD/ISAM and rover missions, sensitive Flash LiDAR for active in-space debris detection and mitigation, and science and surveillance instruments for nightside Earth imaging. Non-NASA applications for a low-SWaP, highly sensitive passive imaging sensor operating from orbit include space situational awareness (SSA), nighttime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and remote sensing. Examples include tracking non-cooperative space objects, detection and tracking of lightning storms and clouds at night, nightside monitoring of shipping lanes and other infrastructure, and detection of bioluminescent algae blooms.

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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