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 when launched in 2026. This study will be useful to assess the possibility of proposing a future space mission specially devoted to this goal.
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.
- Application of the method to actual PhotSat daily data obtained after launch (2026).
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].