Space Surveillance and Tracking using with PhotSat

Abstract

GMV offers the opportunity to participate in a remunerated project for the Final Master's Thesis (TFM). The increasing density of satellites and space debris in Earth's orbit poses significant challenges for space operations and safety. Traditional ground-based observation methods have limitations in detecting small-sized debris, especially those smaller than 10cm.

This TFM project focuses on developing and applying simulations to assess how space debris would be observed from a specific space-based platform: PhotSat cubesat. The objective is to analyse the feasibility of performing orbital reconstructions of observed objects using PhotSat simulations and apply the method to actual PhotSat observations. 

The student will engage in:

  • Developing simulation models to emulate PhotSat observational capabilities.
  • Analyzing the detectability and tracking of various debris sizes and orbits.
  • Assessing the feasibility of orbital reconstruction based on simulated observations.
  • Prepare the methodology to be applied to actual PhotSat daily data.

This project aligns with ESA's initiatives [1,2] such as the VISDOMS mission, aiming to enhance space debris monitoring through space-based optical systems [3]. This work is the continuation of a previous Master thesis [4].

Advisors
Josep Manel Carrasco
Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Physics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with Linux environments and Git version control is highly recommended. Experience with data analysis tools is an advantage and programming languages such as Python is hig
References

[1] ESA’s Annual Space Environment Report, 2024: https://www.https://conference.sdo.esoc.esa.int/proceedings/neosst2/paper/48sdo.esoc.esa.int/environment_report/Space_Environment_Report_latest.pdf

[2] ESA - Space Debris Projects and Core Activities - CM22: https://wwhttps://conference.sdo.esoc.esa.int/proceedings/neosst2/paper/48w.esa.int/Space_Safety/Space_Debris_Projects_and_Core_Activities_-_CM22

[3] Space-Based Optical Component (SBOC) for the ESA VISDOMS Mission: https://conference.sdo.esoc.esa.int/proceedings/neosst2/paper/48

[4] Simulating space-based observations of orbital debris with PhotSat (Isern i Vizoso, Cinta): https://diposit.ub.edu/items/ee732a3b-218e-46ac-b6c1-aa4659aa1c75