Scalable Tracking of pLEO Constellations and Debris

PROJECTED CMMC LEVEL REQUIREMENT
Level 1
TECHNOLOGY AREAS
Space Platforms
MODERNIZATION PRIORITIES
Space Technology
KEYWORDS
pLEO; Space Surveillance; Wide-Field Optics, Orbital Debris; COTS, Software-Defined Sensors; UDL, Space Traffic Management
OBJECTIVE
Develop and deploy scalable, cost-effective, and rapidly iterated wide-field optical tracking solutions to supplement the Space Surveillance Network (SSN) for high-density proliferated Low Earth Orbit (pLEO) constellations and debris. The solution must meet stringent tracking, latency, and dissemination requirements while leveraging Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components and software-defined sensors.
DESCRIPTION
The increasing density of pLEO constellations and orbital debris presents a significant challenge to the current SSN infrastructure, including radar fences with limited beam count and power. This effort seeks to develop wide-field optical tracking systems capable of addressing these challenges. The solution must integrate COTS components on a COTS bus to ensure low-cost deployment, rapid iteration, and replenishment. Software-defined sensors adaptable to multiple missions and on-board processing capabilities are encouraged. The system should also support extensibility to other missions via side-car payloads or on-orbit firmware/software upgrades.
The system, if deployed at a scale identified by the proposer, must meet the following requirements:
Threshold Requirements:
Track 95% of objects larger than 1U (10x10 cm2 optical cross-section, Lambertian surface at 20% reflectivity) at least once per orbit.
Track 95% of unknown objects as small as 1 cm across once every two weeks.
Goal Requirements:
Track 99% of unknown objects larger than 1U at least twice per orbit.
Track 95% of all objects as small as 1 cm once every two weeks.
Track a cued object down to 1 cm with a maximum latency of 40 minutes, with no requirements for simultaneous tracks.
Dissemination:
All detections must be injected into the Unified Data Library (UDL) database within 5 minutes of passing through the last Field of Regard of the sensor platform.
Feasibility Documentation:
Documentation should include all relevant information including, but not limited to: technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and performance goals/results.
PHASE I
This topic is accepting Direct to Phase II proposals only. Strong proposals should document prior experience:
Modeling and simulation of wide-field optical systems to validate tracking performance
Prototyping and testing of COTS-based optical sensors and software-defined systems.
Integration and testing of on-board processing capabilities for real-time data handling and dissemination.
Validation of UDL database injection within the required 5-minute latency.
Documentation should include all relevant information including, but not limited to: technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and performance goals/results.
PHASE II
Phase II will focus on:
Developing and demonstrating a fully integrated prototype system in a relevant orbital environment.
Conducting end-to-end testing to validate tracking performance, latency, and dissemination requirements.
Iterating on the design to incorporate lessons learned and optimize for cost, scalability, and extensibility.
Preparing for low-rate initial production (LRIP) and deployment.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS
The solution has significant commercial potential in the growing space industry, including:
Supporting commercial satellite operators in collision avoidance and space traffic management.
Providing data services to insurance companies for risk assessment and mitigation.
Enabling scalable tracking solutions for emerging mega-constellations.
Extending capabilities to other missions, such as Earth observation, space domain awareness, and scientific research.
REFERENCES
U.S. Space Force. Spacepower Doctrine: Space Domain Awareness. U.S. Space Force, https://www.spaceforce.mil. Accessed 18 Aug. 2025.
NASA. Orbital Debris Quarterly News. Orbital Debris Program Office, https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov. Accessed 18 Aug. 2025.
U.S. Space Command. Partnerships with Commercial Entities for SDA. U.S. Space Command, https://www.spacecom.mil. Accessed 18 Aug. 2025.
LeoLabs. Tracking Satellites and Debris in Low Earth Orbit. LeoLabs, https://www.leolabs.space. Accessed 18 Aug. 2025.
Secure World Foundation. Global Space Traffic Management and Debris Mitigation Policies. Secure World Foundation, https://swfound.org. Accessed 18 Aug. 2025.
MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Space Surveillance Radar Systems. MIT Lincoln Laboratory, https://www.ll.mit.edu. Accessed 18 Aug. 2025.
U.S. Department of Commerce. Data Sharing for Space Situational Awareness. U.S. Department of Commerce, https://www.commerce.gov. Accessed 18 Aug. 2025.