The Resident Space Object Detection Method Based on the Connection between the Fourier Domain Image of the Video Data Difference Frame and the Orbital Velocity Projection

Abstract

A method for resident space object detection in video stream processing using a set of matched filters has been proposed. Matched filters are constructed based on the connection between the Fourier spectrum shape of the difference frame and the magnitude of the linear velocity projection onto the observation plane. Experimental data were obtained using the mobile optical surveillance system for low-orbit space objects. The detection problem in testing mode was solved for raw video data with intensity signals from three satellites: KORONAS-FOTON, CUSAT 2/FALCON 9, and GENESIS-1. Difference frames of video data with the AQUA satellite pass were used to construct matched filters. The satellites were automatically detected at points where the difference in the value of their linear velocity projection and the reference satellite was close in value. An initial approximation of the satellites slant range vector and position vector has been obtained based on the values of linear velocity projection onto the frame plane. It has been established that the difference in the inclination angle between the detected satellite intensity signal Fourier image and the reference satellite mask corresponds to the difference in the inclinations of these objects. The proposed method allows for detecting and estimating the initial approximation of the slant range and position vector of artificial and natural space objects, such as satellites, debris, and asteroids.

Keywords

• optical observation
• angular measurement
• resident space object
• correlation pattern
• fourier image