To control near-Earth space and observe artificial objects in Earth orbit, the specialists of the Russian Space Systems Holding (RKS, part of the Roscosmos State Corporation) propose using the latest photonics technologies and original methods of ground-based processing of optical information. The corresponding space debris control system was developed and patented by the RKS to solve one of the most urgent tasks today – cleaning the Earth's orbit from expired artificial Earth satellites, various space objects and their fragments.
With the help of optical signals and their processing system, it will be possible to find, recognize, identify, measure the size and calculate the trajectory of even small-sized fragments of space debris. The system will be able to identify potential threats for timely response and changes in the trajectories of movement, for example, spacecraft or spacecraft. Observation of space debris will be conducted by ground-based optical telescopes. The project involves the construction of an optoelectronic control system using three sequentially connected information channels and aperture synthesis technology to increase the viewing angle.
The author of the project, the chief researcher of the RKS expert and analytical center, Professor Konstantin SVIRIDOV:
To improve the quality of the received data and filter noise (eliminate interference from the useful signal or reduce the level of errors in data transmission channels), RKS specialists propose to use the photon counting method, which is now used when registering weak signals. The system will also carry out photo-report detection (optical image encoding and computational decoding to obtain new images of higher quality), as well as digital adaptive-correlation processing of the received information.
RKS is one of the leaders in the development and implementation of photonic technologies of the future in space technology. Thus, at MAKS-2021, for the first time in the world, the holding demonstrated the so-called high- precision optical clocks using photonics technology, forming a signal of exact frequency and time to increase the accuracy of GLONASS geolocation. Today, the RCS conducts scientific research in the field of photonics simultaneously in several directions – the creation of sensor, measuring and converting equipment, multispectral cameras, component base and metamaterials based on photonic technologies will open up new opportunities for space exploration.
