Evaluating commensal sensors for detecting objects of interest in the Low Earth Orbit

Abstract

With escalating congestion in the electromagnetic spectrum, commensal (passive) sensors provide a solution for detecting objects of interest without the need for bespoke transmitters. Through the characterization and spatial assessment of existing broadcast infrastructure, illuminators of opportunity constitute an abundance of transmitters and allow for wide-area commensal sensor coverage of objects in space. This paper describes work to evaluate the potential of a FM broadcast based commensal sensor to detect space objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Specifically, a planning tool has been developed to assess and simulate passes of objects such as the International Space Station (ISS). With reference to a Mission Planning Tool (MPT), we describe some of the important system considerations for using commensal sensors as a ground-based sensor for LEO space observation.