Space Traffic Camera as an Opportunistic Sensor Towards Real-Time Space Domain Awareness

The space domain is a congested and contested environment that requires constant surveillance for risk assessment. The adequacy of current and future space domain awareness is limited by our ability to collect quantitative information of the events in low Earth orbit. A network of scalable and geographically distributed sensors has the potential to collect a large volume of data for a more complete sky coverage than is possible today. Classic terrestrial and space surveillance sensors are too large and unsuitable to scale for better distribution and coverage. Spacecraft mounted star trackers present a novel opportunity to collect valuable surveillance data using commercially-proven technologies. Research presented in this dissertation evaluates scalability and detection performance, establishes an image processing and data compression framework, and describes the experimental validation of a prototype sub-orbital mission. The dissertation concludes that the potential data collection capacity of space traffic cameras, adopted from star trackers, are feasible to achieve the desired data volume for improved low Earth orbit surveillance. The sensor network discussed can provide novel access with improved re-visit times to detect, track and classify resident space objects to augment existing \gls{sda} capabilities. This conclusion is presented in the context of data collection utility and quantity, data processing and means of centralization, and sensor design and feasibility survey. The conclusion is further supported with the knowledge that the necessary hardware required for data collection, i.e., the current count of active star trackers in Earth orbit, is already in place, and is expected to multiply due to increasing launch cadence. The results also suggest that such a network of space traffic cameras is a more cost effective approach for space surveillance, as the design presented can be automated and scalable to large constellations. The data collected can be used for space object characterization studies for development of in-orbit services in addition to spacecraft custody operations. The research concludes with recommendations for future work that further advance the usage of existing low-cost commercial hardware for space domain awareness. Contributions from this research demonstrate a sustainable method to achieve commercial space safety and remote services in low Earth orbit.