Optics and Precision Engineering, Volume. 33, Issue 11, 1771(2025)

Evaluation of detection, identification and rapid cataloging capabilities for space debris cloud

Liying CAO1, Jizhang SANG1、*, Bin LI1, Lei LIU1, Xiangxu LEI2,3, and You ZHAO3
Author Affiliations
  • 1School of Geodesy and Geomatics, Wuhan University, Wuhan430079, China
  • 2School of Civil Engineering and Geomatics, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo55000, China
  • 3National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100101, China
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    Advancements in space-ground integrated surveillance techniques have expanded detection coverage and reduced object revisit times, enabling the collection of multiple orbit tractlets of new debris within hours of an event and thereby facilitating timely tracking and cataloging. This study evaluates the detection and cataloging capabilities for monitoring debris clouds using space-based optical systems. Utilizing historical two-line element data, the identification and cataloging potential of debris generated by the COSMOS-2251/Iridium-33 satellite collision were analyzed, assuming a space-based optical detection constellation of 24 satellites. Results indicate that 99% of new debris fragments can be resolved within 20 minutes post-collision. Analysis of randomly selected samples of 100 debris fragments from each satellite revealed that 81% of COSMOS-2251 debris and 87% of Iridium-33 debris possess at least 10 observable tractlets within one day following the collision. Considering all observable tractlets within this timeframe, 70% of COSMOS-2251 debris and 73% of Iridium-33 debris were successfully cataloged. These findings demonstrate that a well-designed space-based optical surveillance system can catalog over 70% of new debris resulting from space collisions within one day.

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    Liying CAO, Jizhang SANG, Bin LI, Lei LIU, Xiangxu LEI, You ZHAO. Evaluation of detection, identification and rapid cataloging capabilities for space debris cloud[J]. Optics and Precision Engineering, 2025, 33(11): 1771

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    Paper Information

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    Received: Mar. 22, 2025

    Accepted: --

    Published Online: Aug. 14, 2025

    The Author Email: Jizhang SANG (bli@sgg.whu.edu.cn)

    DOI:10.37188/OPE.20253311.1771

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