Orbital Estimation for space debries
Abstract
This study aims to introduce a practical method for approximating the positions of space objects. In this hybrid approach, simulation and machine vision code are employed, where an observer satellite estimates its relative distance to a target satellite, which is considered space debris in this study. Initially, a two-satellite scenario including the target and observer satellites was designed in the STK software, and experimental videos were recorded to replicate this scenario. The captured images, after calibration and processing, were analyzed using the WDRPOSE6D code to extract the relative distance between the observer and target satellites. By analyzing these measurements along with the known position of the observer satellite, the location of the target satellite was estimated with acceptable accuracy. Although some estimation errors still exist, the results indicate that integrating simulation and image processing provides an effective and cost-efficient method for determining the positions of space objects. Furthermore, the findings suggest that the position of the target satellite can be estimated solely through imaging of the target. This method can help reduce the risk of space collisions and facilitate the sustainable use of space. Overall, the present study demonstrates that combining low-cost experiments, simulation tools, and machine vision techniques can provide a reliable framework for monitoring space debris and approximating their positions.
