An Optical Wide-field patroL-Network (OWL-Net) has been developed for maintaining Korean low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites’ orbital ephemeris. The OWL-Net consists of five optical tracking stations. Brightness signals of reflected sunlight of the targets were detected by a charged coupled device (CCD). A chopper system was adopted for fast astrometric data sampling, maximum 50 Hz, within a short observation time. The astrometric accuracy of the optical observation data was validated with precise orbital ephemeris such as Consolidated Prediction File (CPF) data and precise orbit determination result with onboard Global Positioning System (GPS) data from the target satellite. In the optical observation simulation of the OWL-Net for 2017, an average observation span for a single arc of 11 LEO observation targets was about 5 min, while an average optical observation separation time was 5 h. We estimated the position and velocity with an atmospheric drag coefficient of LEO observation targets using a sequential-batch orbit estimation technique after multi-arc batch orbit estimation. Post-fit residuals for the multi-arc batch orbit estimation and sequential-batch orbit estimation were analyzed for the optical measurements and reference orbit (CPF and GPS data). The post-fit residuals with reference show few tens-of-meters errors for in-track direction for multi-arc batch and sequential-batch orbit estimation results.

The global electro-optical (EO) and laser tracking sensor network was considered to investigate improvements to orbit prediction (OP) accuracy of space debris by combining angle and laser ranging data. However, it is worth noting that weather, schedule and visibility constraints can frequently limit the operations of such sensors, which may not result in sufficient tracking data for accurate OP. In this study, several 1-day OP results for low Earth orbit (LEO) space debris targets were demonstrated under a limited observation environment to verify the OP accuracy through the combination of angle and laser ranging data from two sites. For orbit determination (OD) processes, it was considered to analyze the OP accuracy by one site providing both 2–day arc angle data and 1-day arc laser ranging data, while the other was limited to 1-day arc angle data. In addition, the initial ballistic coefficient ( ${\mathit{B}}_{\mathit{C}}$ ) application method was proposed and implemented for the improvement of OD/OP accuracy, which introduces the modified correction factor depending on the drag coefficient. In the cases of combining the angle and laser ranging data, the OP results show the 3D position difference values are below 100 m root mean square (RMS) with small position uncertainty. This value satisfies the target OP accuracy for conjunction assessments and blind laser ranging (about 50–100 m at 1000 km altitude). The initial ${\mathit{B}}_{\mathit{C}}$ application method also shows better OP accuracy than the method without the correction factor.

This paper provides an effective approach for the prediction and estimation of space debris due to a vehicle breakup during uncontrolled reentry. For an advanced analysis of the time evolution of space debris dispersion, new efficient computational approaches are proposed. A time evolution of the dispersion of space pieces from a breakup event to the ground impact time is represented in terms of covariance ellipsoids, and in this paper, two covariance propagation methods are introduced. First, a derivative-free statistical linear regression method using the unscented transformation is utilized for performing a covariance propagation. Second, a novel Gaussian moment-matching method is proposed to compute the estimation of the covariance of a debris dispersion by using a Gauss-Hermite cubature-based numerical integration approach. Compared to a linearized covariance propagation method such as the Lyapunov covariance equation, the newly proposed Gauss-Hermite cubature-based covariance computation approach could provide high flexibilities in terms of effectively representing an initial debris dispersion and also precisely computing the time evolution of the covariance matrices by utilizing a larger set of sigma points representing debris components. In addition, we also carry out a parametric study in order to analyze the effects on the accuracy of the covariance propagation due to modeling uncertainties. The effectiveness of the newly proposed statistical linear regression method and the Gauss-Hermite computational approach is demonstrated by carrying out various simulations.

In this study, a preliminary trajectory design is conducted for a conceptual spacecraft mission to a near-Earth asteroid (NEA) (99942) Apophis, which is expected to pass by Earth merely 32,000 km from the Earth’s surface in 2029. This close approach event will provide us with a unique opportunity to study changes induced in asteroids during close approaches to massive bodies, as well as the general properties of NEAs. The conceptual mission is set to arrive at and rendezvous with Apophis in 2028 for an advanced study of the asteroid, and some near-optimal (in terms of fuel consumption) trajectories under this mission architecture are to be investigated using a global optimization algorithm called monotonic basin hopping. It is shown that trajectories with a single swing-by from Venus or Earth, or even simpler ones without gravity assist, are the most feasible. In addition, launch opportunities in 2029 yield another possible strategy of leaving Earth around the 2029 close approach event and simply following the asteroid thereafter, which may be an alternative fuel-efficient option that can be adopted if advanced studies of Apophis are not required.

We estimated the orbit of the Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite (COMS), a Geostationary Earth Orbit\ud (GEO) satellite, through data from actual optical observations using telescopes at the Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy\ud Observatory (SOAO) of the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), Optical Wide field Patrol (OWL) at KASI,\ud and the Chungbuk National University Observatory (CNUO) from August 1, 2014, to January 13, 2015. The astrometric data\ud of the satellite were extracted from the World Coordinate System (WCS) in the obtained images, and geometrically distorted\ud errors were corrected. To handle the optically observed data, corrections were made for the observation time, light-travel\ud time delay, shutter speed delay, and aberration. For final product, the sequential filter within the Orbit Determination Tool\ud Kit (ODTK) was used for orbit estimation based on the results of optical observation. In addition, a comparative analysis\ud was conducted between the precise orbit from the ephemeris of the COMS maintained by the satellite operator and the\ud results of orbit estimation using optical observation. The orbits estimated in simulation agree with those estimated with\ud actual optical observation data. The error in the results using optical observation data decreased with increasing number of\ud observatories. Our results are useful for optimizing observation data for orbit estimation

Space debris poses significant threats to spacecraft and human activities in space. Accurate modeling of space debris is crucial for understanding and mitigating these risks, ensuring the sustainability of the space environment. This paper discusses the importance of space debris modeling in the space environment, highlighting its critical role in safeguarding assets in orbit. Two primary methods of space debris modeling, namely the 1D and 3D approaches, are discussed in detail, and their respective strengths and limitations are elucidated. Furthermore, a comprehensive review of existing models, including the space debris evolutionary model (MOCAT, SOLEM, DAMAGE, LEODEEM & GEODEEM, DELTA, and LEGEND) and engineering models (MOCAT-MC, NEODEEM, MASTER, ORDEM), are presented. These models offer valuable insights into the dynamics and characteristics of space debris populations, aiding in formulating effective debris mitigation strategies and orbital capacity problems for reducing the possibilities of Kessler’s syndrome. Additionally, the paper provides insights into the ongoing development of the Korean space debris model, focusing on its methodology and space debris cataloging techniques for modeling space debris environments.