Ground-based debris detection during daytime Arcsec Space

Abstract

The increasing population of space debris poses significant challenges to the safety and sustainability of space operations, creating a growing need for improved observation and tracking capabilities. While optical surveillance systems provide valuable data for space situational awareness, their operation is generally limited to nighttime conditions. Extending optical observations to daylight conditions would increase observation opportunities and enhance tracking performance.

This thesis studies the feasibility of ground-based daytime debris detection by providing an in-depth analysis of the underlying physical. Particular attention is given to the influence of atmospheric scattering, turbulence, and absorption on detection performance, as well as to the identification of mitigation strategies capable of improving the signal-to-noise ratio.

A simplified sky-background model based on the dominant daylight source of scattering was implemented within Arcsec Space's image generation tool to support the simulation of daytime observation scenarios. In parallel, a comparative assessment of commercially available detector technologies and optical system configurations was conducted. The study also highlights the importance of appropriate filtering strategies and optical design choices.

Furthermore, image-processing techniques including adaptive optics, image restoration, background suppression, and frame stacking were reviewed for their potential to enhance the visibility of faint objects against a bright daytime sky.

The results demonstrate that while daytime debris detection remains considerably more challenging than nighttime observation, a carefully optimized combination of hardware, spectral filtering, and image processing makes it a technically viable objective, with meaningful implications for the safety and sustainability of the space environment.