Space Event Detection Method
Russell P. Patera · AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference and Exhibit · 2006
A method was developed to detect space events, such as maneuvers, collisions, explosions, etc., involving space objects tracked by the CheyenneMountain Operations Center. The CheyenneMountain Operations Center creates state vector parameters for tracked objects and places them in a catalog with the corresponding time. This time dependent data can be processed to reveal sudden unexpected changes in parameter values referred to as space events. A moving window curve fit technique was found effective in estimating a parameter’s value and detecting sudden changes indicative of space events. Themovingwindow technique filters noise and permits processing of time varying data. When a parameter’s deviation from its expected value exceeds a predefined threshold, an event is declared. The processing method was implemented and tested on space object data. Space vehicle maneuvers, collisions and space weather events were readily detected. Themethod does not involve state vector propagation and is very computationally efficient.