Space-based identification method for space debris based on trajectory consistency detection

Aiming at on-orbit correlation between space-based observations and cataloging of space debris, observation model of space-based optical cameras for debris was established, the impact of on-orbit environment on observations was analyzed, furthermore, a space debris identification method based on trajectory consistency detection was designed. In order to satisfy the applications on-orbit, a debris identification method, fusion of DTW and trajectory topography difference quantification, was proposed. Firstly, using DTW to screen out one predicted trajectory which is closest to the real trajectory; Further, quantifying the morphology difference between the closest trajectories found in the first step as the standard deviation of the total error between them; Finally, using statistical testing to confirm the consistency between the two trajectories. The two trajectories were consistent means that the debris was identified successfully. The comparison of the stability between the method proposed in this paper and the method based on trajectory line fitting and parameter error testing was carried out, and the results demonstrate that, method based on fusion of DTW and trajectory topography difference quantification is the more stable method, and the stability is improved by 56.5% compared with another method. The method proposed in this paper is not being affected by the factors such as debris motion characteristics and observation environment, and can be widely used in satellite perception and protection. © 2022 Chinese Society of Astronautics. All rights reserved.