Detecting orbital debris
US9189451B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 2012 |
| Grant date | Nov 17, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 22, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N23/80
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A network device determines an exposure time associated with an image sensor coupled to a spacecraft for capturing an image of a target object orbiting the Earth. The network device computes a maximum relative angular velocity associated with the target object based on the exposure time and a dimension of a pixel of the image sensor. The network device identifies a first pointing direction of the image sensor for initiating a search for the target object. The network device generates a first angular velocity probability distribution map for the target object and divides the first angular velocity probability distribution map into a first set of angular velocity regions (AVRs). The network device selects a first AVR from the first set of AVRs for scanning by the image sensor and generates a search schedule that includes a first entry for informing the spacecraft to scan the first AVR.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.