Photon Counting Sensor for In-space Debris Detection

Astrobotic proposes the development of an in-space sensor system based on state-of-the-art ultralow-noise photon counting cameras and onboard high-performance processingcapable of detecting and tracking debris well below 10 cm. In-space debris detectionbrings the sensor above the obfuscating atmosphere and closer to the targets of interestunder the right combination of relative illumination conditions. The extremely low noise andhigh rate of photon counting cameras based on single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD)detectors 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. We propose, UltraNav Q, a Quanta ImagingSensor derivate of Astrobotic’s existing UltraNav sensor platform to enable practicaltracking, avoidance, and removal of small debris. A constellation could host multiple low-cost sensors with overlapping FOVs to provide coincident detection, yielding rangemeasurements. Astrobotic brings expertise in designing, developing, integrating, andvalidating hardware, software, and simulation tools for space-based optical sensorsystems for lunar landing, relative navigation for RPOD, and SSA. In Phase I, theAstrobotic-led team will: 1) Develop a detailed ConOps, system architecture, and designreference missions, 2) Characterize COTS photon counting cameras and model of pixel-level behavior, 3) Integrate photon counting into existing physics-based simulation tools, 4)Optimize existing onboard SSA software for photon counting data, and 5) Evaluateprocessing and interfaces for in-space compute. Upon the conclusion of Phase I, thesystem will be well positioned to continue toward rapidly developing and testing aprototype system and flight hardware design in Phase II and an early in-spacedemonstration.

NASA: Centimeter-scale debris poses severe risks to spacecraft and sub-10 cm objects arelargely untracked. While ground-based methods like high-power radars can detect small objects down to the size of a marble under the right conditions, the ability to reliably detectand track sub-10 cm objects and perform orbit determination remains elusive. Mostmethods of removing dangerous space depend on accurate positional information overtime. UltraNav-Q takes Astrobotic’s heritage UltraNav perception system and combines itwith a new generation of ultralow-noise Quanta Imaging Sensors (e.g., SPADs, photoncounters) and high-maturity onboard space situational awareness (SSA) software tounlock practical detection and tracking of sub-10 cm debris from a small, hostable (singledigit kg) self-contained payload. The onboard processing of UltraNav-Q also enables it tobe used “in the loop” by in-space debris removal systems. Non-NASA: The commercialization of LEO is leading to a large growth in multi-hundred-million-dollarspacecraft in LEO, like large imaging satellites (e.g., WorldView-3), commercial spacestations (e.g., VAST and Axiom), and massive constellations (over 5,000 Starlink satelliteslaunched). These assets both create, in aggerate, a more congested LEO and demand, inturn, careful coordination with orbital debris. Whether for collision avoidance or wide-scaledebris removal, even a 1 cm piece of debris can be mission ending and debris smallerthan 10 cm remain almost entirely untracked. UltraNav-Q, with its ability to be readilyhosted on large assets or mega-constellation satellites, can provide better situationalawareness and unlock new debris removal methods.

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