Space Assets Research Articles

CLOWN: The PASO Cloud Detection for Optimization of Automatic Optical Surveys

Orbiting space objects have become in the last decade a major nuisance impacting ground astronomy and orbiting space assets, from observatories to satellites and space stations. In particular with the rise of the satellite population in Low Earth Orbits, space objects are becoming an even bigger threat and a strong problem to astronomical observations. To tackle these threats, several coordinated surveillance networks composed of dedicated sensors (telescopes, radars, and laser ranging facilities) track and survey space objects, from debris to active satellites. As part of the European Space Surveillance & Tracking network, Portugal is developing the Pampilhosa da Serra Space Observatory, with both radio and optical telescopes dedicated to the Space Situational Awareness domain, deployed at a Dark Sky destination. To optimize telescope survey time, we developed CLOud Watcher at Night (CLOWN), an application interface that automatically monitors clouds in real time. This software can correctly trace cloud positions in the sky and provide accurate pointing information to the observation planning of the optical telescope to avoid cloudy areas. CLOWN only requires the use of an all-sky camera, which is already a norm in observatories with optical telescopes and can be used with any camera, including those for which no information about its model specification do exist. CLOWN does not require great computing power, and it does not require the installation of additional equipment. CLOWN results are very promising and confirm that the app can correctly identify clouds in a variety of different conditions and cloud types.

Compensation landscapes

In this contribution, I explore compensation landscapes as a concept through which we can question the nature of ecological urbanism today, as an alliance of environmental degradation, urban development and landscape design. In urbanism and landscape studies, there is currently almost no debate on the spatial dynamics created by the compensation of environmental harm. This is remarkable, as green urban landscapes are increasingly developed through biodiversity offsetting, i.e. the process where open space assets that have been destroyed through urban development are replaced elsewhere. While the literature on these topics is booming in critical geography and political ecology, I explore three scopes in which biodiversity offsetting can be studied as part of urbanism and landscape studies. Through the spatialization of compensation, the linking of offsetting to planning research, and by giving attention to landscape design, this paper frames compensation as a socio-spatial urbanisation project.

Digital tools for determining intellectual property object notoriety (on the example of determining character and work notoriety)

In the article, based on intellectual property (IP) analytics tools, digital tools for conducting research with the aim of determining the notoriety of IP objects, using the example of the notoriety of a work and a character, have been researched and tested. Digital tools are used as an alternative to conducting sociological research. The list and characteristics of the digital tools used in this study and recommended for future use are provided. The method of conducting an examination of the notoriety of IP objects, taking into account the use of modern digital tools of IP analysis, is proposed. Digital technologies provide new opportunities to simplify examination, registration procedures, commercialization, protection of rights and circulation of intangible assets in the digital space. IP analytics is a powerful tool that provides valuable insights to both businesses and lawyers. By analyzing IP data, companies can protect their rights, identify market trends, assess competition, make strategic decisions and drive innovation. This is the most important component of a comprehensive strategy in the field of IP.

Regulatory challenges and policy gaps for in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing technologies

In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) technologies provide incredible opportunities to improve space exploration by giving space assets longer lives, enabling the creation of space objects that are too large to launch from Earth, and allowing space technology to be built using materials sourced from other celestial bodies. However, ISAM technologies also pose legal and regulatory challenges. There are some ongoing challenges with satellite regulations that also apply to ISAM technologies, like spectrum allocation and enforcement, and some difficulties that are unique to ISAM, like mission authorization and continuing supervision. This paper explores how ISAM technologies fit within current space policy framework and the current efforts to regulate ISAM. Additionally, it identifies policy gaps and future work to be done to ensure the safe and sustainable use of ISAM technology.

Model-based controllers for CubeSat ORU installation: A comparative study

The increasing space debris population in critical orbits due to spacecraft failure dictates the need for action. On-Orbit Servicing (OOS) has been proposed as a method for mitigating this trend by repairing existing space assets. The development of large servicing spacecraft has been given significant attention. In this paper, we are approaching the problem with a new paradigm for a servicing spacecraft by proposing a CubeSat class servicer equipped with a one-degree-of-freedom (DoF) robotic arm. Considering the OOS context, we choose the Orbital Replacement Unit (ORU) installation on a target spacecraft as a challenging benchmark task for the proposed servicer configuration. To carry out this task, we formulate and compare performance of four controllers to achieve coordinated control of both the CubeSat and the robotic arm for the installation task. We start with a basic PD controller and progress to the more advanced impedance controller, Model Predictive Control (MPC) and Model Predictive Impedance Control (MPIC) designs. The controllers are evaluated and compared across several relevant metrics for the ORU installation and their merits for practical implementation are discussed.

EU space security-An 8-Step online discourse analysis to decode hybrid threats.

Space security has emerged as a concern for the European Union (EU), given that space systems have become integral to ensuring the safety of all European society. This strategy reflects the interaction of geopolitical dynamics and the rising specter of hybrid threats. However, grappling with hybrid threats targeting the EU space presents distinct challenges, primarily owing to their elusive nature. Hence, our objective is to develop practical methodologies to identify and mitigate such threats effectively. To meet this objective, we propose an innovative 8-step process. This approach streamlines the systematic identification and analysis of discourses of hybrid threats within online platforms dedicated to EU space discussions. Our methodology underwent rigorous scrutiny, including a comprehensive literature review that prioritized peer-reviewed manuscripts from sources such as Web of Science and Elsevier Scopus. Additionally, we selected documents from Google Scholar to ensure comprehensive coverage of diverse scholarly contributions, enriching the depth of our analysis. Our research yielded a conceptual framework for Online Discourse Analysis (ODA) tailored to evaluate hybrid threats targeting EU space defense and security. The results highlight the importance of leveraging advanced ODA techniques to deepen our understanding of emerging threats. In conclusion, we advocate for the adoption of these innovative methods to enhance the robustness of EU space defense strategies in the face of evolving security scenarios. The establishment of the 8-step ODA framework marks a pivotal milestone, offering a structured approach to deciphering hybrid threats. Looking ahead, we aim to empirically validate this framework by creating and deploying custom-tailored software designed to identify potential hybrid threats jeopardizing the security of European space assets. Through continued research and practical implementation, we endeavor to fortify the EU's defenses against emerging threats in the space domain.

Modeling Medium-Term Debris Cloud of Satellite Breakup via Probabilistic Method

Accurately modeling the evolution of debris clouds from satellite breakups is necessary for assessing the collision risk to space assets. Generally, the evolution of debris clouds can be divided into short-, medium-, and long-term phases. Compared to the short- and long-term phases, the study on the medium-term phase was insufficient. This paper proposes a probabilistic method to model the medium-term evolution of a debris cloud. First, a satellite breakup event can be characterized by a probabilistic density distribution of the initial velocity vectors of all fragments. Then, the distribution in the initial velocity can be transformed to that in three classic orbital elements, i.e., semimajor axis, eccentricity, and inclination. Given that the driving force of medium-term evolution is the J2 perturbation and that J2 has no secular contribution to these three classic orbital elements, the distribution of classic orbital elements remains stationary during the evolution. This feature can be exploited to express the probabilistic density distribution of any given target position in terms of the density distribution of the classic orbital elements by changing variables. Finally, 16 one-variable equations with analytical first derivatives were formulated to find the proper inverse mapping from the given position to the classic orbital elements, and the Jacobian matrix of the inverse mapping was derived. Medium-term debris clouds resulting from two typical breakup velocity distributions were tested using the proposed method. Results show that the proposed method can accurately simulate the evolution of the clouds’ geometrical extent and density flow.

Effects of phase angle and sensor properties on on-orbit debris detection using commercial star trackers

The recent proliferation of resident space objects (RSOs) in low Earth orbit (LEO) threatens the sustainability of space as a resource and requires persistent monitoring to avoid collisions involving valuable space assets. State-of-the-art ground-based space surveillance techniques, due to their susceptibility to atmosphere, weather, and lighting conditions, tend to focus on RSOs with characteristic length greater than 10 cm or 1 dm. Consequently, millions of smaller LEO RSOs remain untracked by ground-based methods, which reduces overall space situational awareness. Onboard satellite sensors offer a space-based method for tracking RSOs. Prior research has investigated the feasibility of using commercial star trackers (CSTs) — optical sensors prevalent on most active spacecraft — to observe, detect, and estimate the position and velocity of RSOs larger than 10 cm. In a recent effort, we expanded on these feasibility studies by assessing the capabilities of CSTs to detect debris particles smaller than 10 cm in characteristic length. We modeled the particles as Lambertian spheres with zero phase angle and ten percent reflectivity and found that typical CSTs can detect properly illuminated debris of characteristic length between 1 cm and 10 cm even at distances of tens of kilometers. More sensitive CSTs can characterize decimeter-scale RSOs hundreds of kilometers away; alternatively, they can track centimeter-scale and smaller RSOs at closer distances. In this paper, we summarize these key results and extend our previous study by relaxing its zero-phase-angle assumption and characterizing the effect of Sun-RSO-CST phase angle on debris detection range. We identify a number of representative CSTs with publicly available optical characteristics and consider the effects of properties such as pixel pitch, focal length, aperture diameter, and field of view (FOV) on the capability of each CST to detect debris at a given distance and relative velocity (in the form of streak speed). We find that, for debris particles modeled as diffuse Lambertian spheres, Sun-RSO-CST phase angles as high as 57° result in no more than 20% reduction to the useful RSO-CST detection range. In addition, we find that pixel pitch and focal length, rather than aperture diameter, tend to determine the capability of a given CST to resolve two distinct RSOs. Furthermore, streak speed may serve as a stronger limiting factor for detection of smaller debris particles than for larger ones. Despite these limitations, the overall results indicate that CSTs have the potential to substantially enhance space-based debris detection capability.

Geopolitical tensions framing different industries in the European Arctic: aquaculture, forestry, mining, and tourism in question

ABSTRACT Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine in early 2022 has brought geopolitics, particularly classical geopolitics, back into the political and economic discussions and decision-making. Discursive, as well as real-world change, has been rapid, as the turn of the 21st century was the time of globalisation and neoliberal ideology – the free movement of people, products, and services. However, in this paper, we argue that classical geopolitics has defined the development of Northern industries even before the war began in 2022. Our interview data (n = 60) collected in the advent of the Russian invasion of Ukraine reveal that the themes of state power; ‘hard’ security meaning military armament; the economy as a field of national interests; and spill-over effects of geopolitical tensions between superpowers have framed economic fortunes in the European Arctic. It is concluded that the state actors’ interests in the European Arctic’s physical space and natural assets will be increasingly expanding.

Asteroid mining vs the carbon bubble: ethical considerations for space resource extraction

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to consider the ethical and environmental implications of allowing space resource extraction to disrupt existing fuel economies, including how companies can be held accountable for ensuring the responsible use of their space assets. It will also briefly consider how such assets should be taxed, and the cost/benefit analyses required to justify the considerable expense of supporting this emerging space industry.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts theoretical bioethics methodologies to explore issues of normative ethics and the formulation of moral rules to govern individual, collective and institutional behaviour. Specifically, it considers social justice and social contract theory, consequentialist and deontological accounts of ethical evaluation. It also draws on sociological and organisational literature to discuss Dowling and Pfeffer’s (1975) and Suchman’s (1995) theories of pragmatic, cognitive and moral legitimacy as they may be applied to off-world mining regulations and the handling of space assets.FindingsThe findings of this conceptual paper indicate there is both a growing appetite for tighter resource extraction regulations to address climate change and wealth concentration globally, and an opportunity to establish and legitimise new ethical norms for commercial activity in space that can avoid some of the challenges currently facing fossil fuel divestment movements on Earth.Originality/valueBy adopting methodologies from theoretical bioethics, sociology and business studies, including applying a legitimacy lens to the issue of off-world mining, this paper synthesises existing knowledges from these fields and brings them to the new context of the future space resource economy.

Innovating Deterrence Strategies in the New Space Age

In recent decades, space has become a crucial arena in international relations, reshaping geopolitical dynamics due to the increased reliance on satellite technology and strategic space assets. Nations globally recognize the economic and strategic advantages of space, leading to cooperation and competition. The expanding use of space for communication, navigation, surveillance, and exploration has become integral to modern societies. The commercial space industry, driven by private entities, contributes significantly to space endeavors. This heightened reliance on space assets necessitates robust space security policies to protect critical systems and maintain technological advantages. Traditionally, deterrence theories focused on terrestrial domains, but the unique characteristics of space demand a paradigm shift. The article introduces a novel perspective on space deterrence, emphasizing strategic capabilities, alliances, and a nuanced understanding of potential aggressors. Core components include denial, resilience, and cost imposition strategies. Military strength, alliances, and space-based nuclear assets play roles in conventional and nuclear space deterrence. Dissuading military aggression involves operational concepts, resilience, and strategic costs. Shaping aggressor thinking requires perception management, confidence-building, and norms. Crafting denial and punishment strategies involves arms control initiatives. Understanding potential aggressors involves assessing motives, aligning interests, and evaluating orbital escalation. The multidimensional nature of space deterrence converges to create a robust framework for dissuading aggression, ensuring a stable and secure celestial environment.

Modeling and analysis for volatile characteristics of lunar water ice

Lunar water ice resources are important space assets for human survival and sustainable living on the Moon. Detection data indicates that the permanently shadowed regions at the lunar poles contain water ice resources. The efficiency of in-situ extraction of lunar water ice resources depends on its volatile characteristics. In the context of extraction and utilization of water ice resources in the permanently shadowed regions, the sublimation and diffusion processes of lunar water ice are investigated by combining the theory of pure ice sublimation with the fractal theory of porous media. On this basis, a volatilization model for lunar water ice is established to examine the effect of temperature, relative density, and water content on the volatile behaviors of lunar water ice. The findings of this study can provide technical and theoretical support for the in-situ exploration, extraction, and utilization of lunar water ice resources and offer insights into the existence and distribution of lunar water ice resources.

Intelligent Security Detection and Defense in Operating Systems Based on Deep Learning

With the development of network technology, APT(advanced persistentthreat) attacks are increasing, and research on the security of enterprise assets requires effective detection of digital assets in the network space and effective management of assets through screening and combing, which is the key to real-time monitoring of the safe operation of the system. However, the accompanying malware also poses a threat to the user's property and privacy, so an effective method of detecting Android malware is necessary. In this research direction, although the feature processing capability of traditional machine learning has been improved, there are problems that feature extraction relies on expert experience and the accuracy is low. Therefore, this paper combines deep learning reinforcement technology with the operating system to detect and defend the system in advance, so as to achieve network security.

Machine learning with oversampling for space debris classification based on radar cross section

Over the past few years, the likelihood of collision of space objects increases as the quantity of space debris rises. Space debris classification and identification becomes more crucial to space assets security and space situation awareness. Radar cross section (RCS), one of the essential arguments for tracking space debris, was measured by European Incoherent Scatter Scientific Association (EISCAT) and other radar systems. This study investigates the effectiveness of seven machine learning methods employed to address the classification of space objects based on RCS data from European Space Agency (ESA). To tackle the Class-imbalance issue in this study (the ratio of space debris to non-debris is approximately 5:1 in the dataset), three oversampling techniques are employed, including: Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE), synthetic minority oversampling technique-support vector machine (SMOTE-SVM) and Adaptive Synthetic Sampling (ADASYN). The experiments show that, in the test set, the combination of SVM with SMOTE-SVM oversampling techniques can reach the accuracy of 99.7%, the precision of 98.7% and the recall of 99.4% which is better than the rest of models.

Coming Back Down to Earth: A Grounded Look at Space Cybersecurity in Southeast Asia

This paper aims to open discussion regarding the absence of cybersecurity efforts for space systems in Southeast Asia and its implications. Although there is a consensus on the need for action, Southeast Asian states have not taken any concrete steps to address the challenge of space cybersecurity. Lacking sovereign capabilities, regulatory structures, and initiatives to tackle complex accidents that are waiting to happen, Southeast Asia is not adequately equipped to deal with the growing risk of attack on its space ecosystem. With increasing militarization of space programs, exponentially growing dominance of private sector, and reduced barriers of entry for malicious non-state actors, delaying any action for strengthening space cybersecurity can produce detrimental impact given the necessity of space sector for civil, commercial, and national sustenance in the region. Southeast Asia is in a unique position where the nascency of space sector and lack of rigid structures allows flexibility to learn, translate, and adapt existing initiatives and frameworks. To be on a path to bridge the gap between reality and the ideal, the region should focus on articulating principles and guidelines. The author proposes realistic policy recommendations and directions Southeast Asian states and the region at-large should pursue for promoting medium and long-term sustainability and usability, and for maintaining cybersecurity of space assets.

METHODS, DATA AND TOOLS FOR FACILITATING A 3D CULTURAL HERITAGE SPACE

Abstract. In recent years, the cultural heritage (CH) sector has experienced a rapid evolution due to the introduction of increasingly powerful digital technologies and ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) solutions. As for many other domains, digital data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Extended Reality (XR) are opening up extraordinary opportunities for expanding heritage knowledge capabilities while boosting the research on innovative solutions for its valorisation and preservation. Being aware of the fundamental and strategic role of CH in the history and identity of the European countries, the European Commission has assumed a central role in fuelling the policy debate and putting together stakeholders to take a step forward in CH digitization and use, primarily through initiatives, programs, and recommendations. Within this framework, the ongoing European 5DCulture project (https://www.5dculture.eu/) has been funded to enrich the offer of 3D CH digital assets in the common European Data Space for Cultural Heritage by creating high-quality 3D contents and to foster their re-use in several sectors, from tourism to education. Through 8 re-use scenarios around historic buildings and cityscapes, archaeology, and fashion, the project aims to deliver a set of digital tools and increase the capacity of CH institutions to more effectively re-use their 3D digital assets.

DEVELOPING ENHANCED AND ENRICHED 3D MODELS OF CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSETS AS PART OF THE EU CO-FUNDED 5DCULTURE PROJECT

Abstract. 5Dculture is a 24-month collaborative project co-funded by the European Union. It includes twelve partners from diverse sectors of cultural heritage, including archaeology, museums and fashion. It aims to enrich the offer of European 3D digital cultural heritage assets in the data space and fosters their reuse in important domains such as education, tourism and the wider cultural and creative sectors towards socially and economically sustainable outcomes. In particular, the project will deliver high-quality 3D content by identifying and engaging existing datasets from partners’ collections focusing on topics of fashion, archaeology and architecture, all of which occupy a central place in the vast cultural heritage of Europe. It will also develop several reuse scenarios, which will experiment with the aforementioned assets in their complexity (from high-quality to derivatives).The Discovery Programme has a long research interest in 3D digital documentation and has participated in collaborative projects in the past, notably 3D-ICONS. However, opportunities and challenges in the reuse of 3D archaeological content exist, including the reuse of 3D content to enhance visitors experience at archaeological sites and the ability to exploit 3D surrogates for different sectors (tourism, education, gaming, the arts, conservation and heritage management).This paper will present the research that has been undertaken in this context, through the development of an enhanced processing pipeline to improve the quality of 3D models of cultural heritage assets, resulting in their improved re-use. It will present the approaches to improving model geometry, generating and applying enhanced textures, creating rich and functional metadata and strategies for persistence and archiving.A core component of our research has been the development of the processing pipeline to improve 3D model appearance through the application of parametric materials in the development of synthetic textures which artificially enhance the visualising of cultural heritage objects. Through the visual enhancements of 3D content improvements to the interpretation and aesthetic appearance of monuments and artefacts can be achieved, adding value to the original surveyed data. The paper will detail the processing pipeline, working from prime survey data in survey specific software, through 3D modelling techniques, and finally visualising and presentation approaches which enable increased accessibility and usability.The paper will conclude with a discussion of deliverables, particularly in the context of value to conservation. The Discovery Programme works together with many of the state agencies in Ireland on heritage and conservation projects, and it is the delivery of enhanced but practical outputs that their archaeologists and architects require. These include the Office of Public Works, National Monuments Service & the Heritage Council.

An Architecture for Early Wildfire Detection and Spread Estimation Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Base Stations, and Space Assets

An Architecture for Early Wildfire Detection and Spread Estimation Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Base Stations, and Space Assets

SOME ASPECTS OF UNIVERSAL LEGAL SUCCESSION OF DIGITAL FINANCIAL ASSETS IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

The article discusses the unique aspects of universal legal succession of digital rights, focusing on the inheritance of digital financial assets (referred to as DFA). Due to the specific nature of accounting and turnover of DFA, there is often a discrepancy between the actual and legal owners of these assets, resulting in challenges related to identifying digital assets in the digital space. The work proposes the establishment of a specialized legal framework for the transfer of digital rights, which involves expanding the concept of “objectless” inheritance certificates and defining the burden of searching for the testator’s accounts in information systems. Additionally, the article examines the regulatory requirements for transferring DFA from the testator’s personal account to the heirs’ digital wallets, as well as addressing potential issues that may arise for heirs, such as cases involving incapacity or plurality of heirs.

Actualización del inventario de monumentos en espacios públicos en la ciudad de Ibagué, Colombia

This research study focused on the identificationand detailed characterization of movable property in the city of Ibagué, following the guidelines provided by the Colombian Ministry of Culture. The methodology implemented included a rigorous cartographic and photographic record of monuments located in public spaces. A qualitative approach was used that involved the review of legal aspects at the local, national, and international levels, as well as fundamental concepts related to heritage conservation. The research process included the delimitation of the study area and the creation of a preliminary list, followed by the detailed development of inventory sheets. This provided an in-depth understanding of the origins, history, materiality, dimensions, and other significant aspects of each monument studied.In addition, special attention was paid to the value of these assets in the local context, and their importance in the configuration of the urban landscape and the construction of the cultural identity of the musical capital was recognized. This work not only contributes to the knowledge of the city's movable heritage, but also underlines the relevance and intrinsic value of these assets in the public space, highlighting their role in the preservation of cultural identity and the historical legacy of future generations.