Subscription-based simulated sensor observations, powered by the FreeFlyer®
engine, customized to meet your test, training, and simulation exercise needs.
a.i. solutions is now offering a unique new capability with ObsSIM, to generate simulated space surveillance sensors observations. ObsSIM produces physics-based observation data powered by FreeFlyer, simulating the ground and space-based sensors of the US Space Surveillance Network (SSN). Modeled physical limitations include solar lighting constraints, range constraints, sensor slew rates and sensor dwell times.
ObsSIM models customized maneuvers and other on-orbit events for Resident Space Objects (RSOs). When ObsSIM simulated data is combined with genuine observation data it can be used to drive realistic testing, training, and exercise scenarios.
From future mission design and analysis to automated operations for tomorrow’s mega-constellations, FreeFlyer can be utilized in multiple ways to bring value to any space company or organization.
With the rise of foreign counterspace capabilities, the US National Security Space community has initiated a strategic realignment of its space surveillance capabilities to enable them to better support requirements of the Space Battle Management Command and Control (Space BMC2) mission. This realignment includes the deployment of several new ground and space-based sensors used to enhance the US ability to collect observations of on-orbit objects. Going forward, the US plans to deploy even more ground and space sensors to further enhance the ability to maintain tracks of on-orbit objects.
The significant increase in the quantity of observations provided by these new sensor capabilities demands the development of new approaches to observation processing, operator displays, and the development of appropriate new tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) and operator training plans. However, there are minimal sets of real-world, radar and telescope observations available to test out these TTPs and to train operators on their execution. To address the shortfall in realistic observations of on-orbit events, a.i. solutions has developed a physics based, Observation Simulator (ObsSIM) that can provide realistic observation sets to reflect potentially hostile adversary maneuvers and other space events.
a.i. solutions’ ObsSIM capability models both ground-based and space-based sensors. Ground-based sensors include dedicated and contributing radars, dedicated and contributing telescopes, and space-based sensors. Additional ground-based or space-based sensors can be quickly added to ObsSIM to represent new or potential future space surveillance capabilities.
Periodically, ObsSIM takes the current element set for each modeled RSO and propagates the orbit to determine when a sensor has visibility of a tasked RSO. The visibility windows account for range constraints, solar lighting constraints, sensor slew rates, and required dwell times. Simulated observations are both time-tagged and tagged with the sensors making the collection.
ObsSIM utilizes a.i. solutions’ FreeFlyer commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software application used widely in satellite mission analysis, design, and operations. FreeFlyer has been used to support the design, development and operations of over 225 space missions for Air Force, NASA and commercial customers.
| Socorro GEODSS (Cam1) | Harold HoltC-Band Radar | Beale (NW) |
| Socorro GEODSS (Cam2) | Fylingdales A | Cobra Dane (FPS 10) |
| Socorro GEODSS (Cam3) | Fylingdales B | Thule (SE) |
| Maui GEODSS (Cam1) | Fylingdales C | Thule (N) |
| Maui GEODSS (Cam2) | Ascension (12.15) | PARCS |
| Maui GEODSS (Cam3) | Ascension (12.18) | Eglin (Deep Space) |
| DG GEODSS (Cam1) | Millstone Hill | Eglin (FPS-85) |
| DG GEODSS (Cam2) | Haystack | RAVEN |
| DG GEODSS (Cam3) | Globus II | SBSS Block 10 |
| Space Fence | Clear (SW) | ORS-5 |
| ALCOR | Clear (N) | GSSAP 1 |
| ALTAIR | Cape Cod (NE) | GSSAP 2 |
| TRADEX | Cape Cod (SE) | GSSAP 3 |
| MM | Beale (S) | GSSAP 4 |
Once a subscription is secured, a.i. solutions’ ObsSIM data is available through AFRL’s Unified Data Library (UDL). ObsSIM data can also be obtained directly from a.i. solutions.
Free ObsSIM data on a small number of RSOs is available to support the development and testing of new analysis capabilities. Subscription to the Basic Level of a.i. solutions’ ObsSIM service provides simulated observations on up to 8 objects from the full simulated network. Subscription to the Advanced Level provides simulated observations on up to 20 objects from the full simulated network. The Basic Level of service includes the creation of 3 on-orbit events during a one-year subscription period. The Advanced Level of service includes the creation of 6 on-orbit events during a one-year subscription period. On-orbit events can be created at the beginning of the subscription period or incrementally.
Recently, lunar Near Rectilinear Halo Orbits (NRHO) have been the focus of much study, and they have been selected as the target orbit for the Gateway mission, formerly the Deep Space Gateway. Also, the Deep Space Network (DSN) is increasingly congested and over-subscribed. In this work, the performance of relative-only navigation between a spacecraft in an NRHO and a relay in a Distant Retrograde Orbit is examined and compared to simulated DSN tracking using a Square Root Information Filter. Various tracking scenarios are examined using a closed-loop simulation where navigation errors inform maneuver planning and maneuver execution errors affect navigation performance. Results indicate that relative-only navigation can provide comparable levels of orbit determination error and orbit maintenance costs.
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NASA is currently working on the spacecraft and trajectory design for the Gateway mission that will reside in a Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO). In the NRHO, Gateway will nominally require orbital maintenance maneuvers once per revolution. Separately, NASA is also working to develop technologies and techniques for relative navigation in cis-lunar space. Together, these concepts represent an opportunity for interesting research in cis-lunar navigation performance.
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