CROACS: Close Range Orbital Attitude Characterization System
Year: 2022
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: As the barrier to entry for space operations decreases, and the commercialization of space increases, the rise in space debris is becoming a growing concern. Objects such as satellites, rocket stages, and fragmentation debris have become operational hazards when launching into orbit. The commonly used ground based satellite tracking systems do not have high enough resolutions to produce reliable estimates of an object’s attitude, especially when the object is tumbling chaotically. Thus, the Close Range Orbital Attitude Characterization System (CROACS) will be responsible for determining and predicting the state of an uncooperative Client satellite’s position and attitude dynamics (6 total degrees of freedom) to a higher degree of accuracy. The purpose of CROACS is to identify a Client satellite, characterize its current rotation, then simulate forward to predict the satellite’s future states. This process starts with point cloud data from a LiDAR sensor being sent to our on-board processing unit. The Client is identified from the background and then, the on-board software determines the Client’s position and attitude. Finally, the on-board software determines current angular velocities and predicts future states. CROACS is tested using a stand that rotates a scale model of a Client (1/82 scale Saturn V Second Stage) about three different axes. The outputs of the software are then validated using truth data that is captured within the Client model.
Institution: University of Colorado Boulder
Language: English
Subfield: Aerospace Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7076454313
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