AstrAware · An On-board Dynamic Vision Sensor Suite for Enhanced Satellite Self and Situational Awareness

The current overpopulation of satellites in orbit requires decisive actions to ensure safe operations in the near-Earth environment. These actions are particularly challenging, as only a fraction of objects in orbit are cooperative satellites, while the majority are space debris, which includes inactive satellites, rocket bodies, and fragments of all sizes. Space debris significantly raises the risk of collisions, and its continued increase could render space activities unsustainable in the future. In this context, developing the capability to detect, identify, and track orbiting objects is essential for predicting their trajectories and assessing potential conjunctions with other satellites. Additionally, advancing technologies for proximity operations is vital for enabling large-scale active space debris removal and servicing missions.The AstrAware project aims to contribute to both tasks through a sensor suite that provides long-range and close-range characterization of a detected target. To achieve these two functions, the project will employ a sensor suite that incorporates innovative dynamic vision sensors with novel data processing pipelines. Central to this system is the integration of a neuromorphic camera, optimized for detecting debris through its heightened sensitivity to illumination changes, alongside an adapted star tracker that functions as a dynamic vision sensor. By working together, these sensors not only share data but also enhance each other's performance, providing continuous optical information for both far- and close-range navigation. This synergy allows for precise proximity operations, seamlessly incorporating debris detection and attitude control within a single, efficient sensor suite, delivering significant operational advantages.