ODIN's Real-Time Space Debris Tracking: Shaping the Future of Safe Space Missions

Recently, UK-based company ODIN has fitted one of its space debris tracking systems onto a satellite and successfully demonstrated its ability to track sub-millimetre space debris. What challenges does space debris present, what did ODIN demonstrate, and how could it help with future space missions?

What challenges does sub-millimetre debris present?

As a popular sci-fi TV show once said, space really is the final frontier, but for all the benefits that space travel presents, there exists a countless list of challenges that anyone looking to go into space will face. 

The vacuum of space not only makes it entirely unforgivable, requiring strong structures able to hold an atmosphere, but the lack of shielding from cosmic rays means that those living in space will quickly develop cancers. The vast distances between planets and stars make travel extremely difficult, requiring large amounts of fuel for both acceleration and deceleration. And just to make matters worse, the strong gravitational field of the Earth makes launching anything into space expensive. But for satellites orbiting Earth, there exists another challenge that can see high-valued assets turned into nothing more than piles of junk in an instant, space debris. 

Over the past 50 years, repeated launches of rockets and satellites have resulted in a large quantity of debris orbiting the Earth, ranging from full-blown defunct satellites to minuscule flecks of paint. While it is easy to see how large defunct satellites are dangerous to new systems placed into orbit, the dangers posed by tiny grains of material are equally as dangerous and, in fact, can be more problematic to deal with.

Anything that maintains an orbit around the Earth is likely to be travelling at several kilometres per second, with the ISS having a speed of around 7.6km/s at an altitude of 408km. Therefore, if two objects are set for a collision course, they must be in different orbits at different directions. This means that the relative velocity between two colliding objects will be substantial (at least several kilometres per second).

At such high velocities, even tiny grains of sand can be utterly devastating. A small piece of paint that hits the centre of a solar panel array for a satellite can easily shatter the panel, rendering it entirely useless. Of course, panels designed with many parallel components could survive such an impact, but any series of components with a cell that is hit will no longer function (it should also be noted that parallel panels would have higher currents, therefore requiring thicker cables and more mass).

To avoid such collisions, NASA (and other space organisations) actively track debris in orbit and make adjustments to satellite orbits if there is a risk of collision. However, current technology from the ground only allows for the tracking of debris around 10cm or greater, meaning that there is plenty of debris in orbit that cannot be spotted. 

This means that there are plenty of orbits which could contain large quantities of debris and be entirely unknown to engineers when designing a satellite. The only way this debris could be detected is if a satellite goes into that orbit and detects collisions, and by then, that may be too late. 

ODIN Space, a UK-based company, has developed a novel solution to this problem. Their commercial off-the-shelf orbital mapping software provides real-time alerts and independent monitoring of invisible orbital debris, even as small as a grain of sand^[1]. This software leverages the highest precision data on invisible debris, driving a new generation of mission operations. It allows satellite operators to configure their own risk tolerance and reduce their exposure to potential collisions^[1].

Finally, when a satellite is damaged by debris, it risks creating more debris that can go on to damage other neighbouring satellites. This idea of a runaway reaction, called the Kepler Syndrome, is something that has the scientific and engineering community worried, as it would destroy modern telecommunications, plunging the world into great difficulty. 

Case Study: The Collision of Iridium 33 and Cosmos 2251

On 10 February 2009, the first accidental hypervelocity collision of two intact satellites occurred at an altitude of 790 km. The collision involved Iridium 33, an operational 560-kg U.S. communications satellite, and Cosmos 2251, a non-functional 900-kg Russian communications satellite^[3]. This event resulted in more than 1800 new debris in the orbital planes of the two spacecraft, marking a significant increase in the tracked satellite population at the time^[3].

The debris from this collision posed a significant threat to other operational satellites. For example, NASA's Cloudsat satellite had to conduct a collision avoidance manoeuvre on 23 April to avoid Cosmos 2251 debris^[3]. The International Space Station (ISS) also prepared for a collision avoidance manoeuvre involving Cosmos 2251 debris, although the manoeuvre was eventually cancelled^[3].

This case study highlights the urgent need for effective space debris tracking and management. The collision rate is expected to increase unless future removal of large derelict spacecraft and launch vehicle orbital stages is implemented^[3]. This underscores the importance of technologies like ODIN's debris tracking system in ensuring the sustainability of space operations.

UK-Based space company successfully tests debris detection system

Recently, a UK-based space company called ODIN has demonstrated a new debris detection system that it says will provide engineers and researchers with real-time data on sub-millimetre debris in specific orbit paths. 

To make their system work, instead of trying to scan for debris from the Earth’s surface, their system is attached to other satellites entering orbit and monitors for acoustic vibrations. Collisions with even the smallest debris will result in vibrations throughout the craft, similar to a tuning fork, and the ODIN sensor is able to pick this up. 

From there, the size of the debris can be determined, and the data is streamed back to Earth to provide real-time data on changes in orbits. But the system is also able to determine the trajectory of incoming debris, which helps researchers identify the orbit direction of incoming debris, something which is critical in predicting future collisions with debris clouds. 

“We’ll now focus on providing our customers with the next generation of space data and sending many more sensors to every orbit. By understanding how lethal sub-centimetre debris behaves, we can protect space assets, maximize growth and drive sustainability in space.” - ODIN CEO and co-founder James New.

Going forward, ODIN is looking to scale up their deployment of sensors on satellites to turn their debris-tracking system into a commercial operation.

ODIN's technology has the potential to revolutionise the tracking of space debris. Currently, only debris larger than around 4 inches (10 centimetres) can be tracked. ODIN's sub-centimetre sensor will be able to track the size, location, speed, and trajectory of debris measuring as small as 1/250th of an inch (0.1 millimetres)^[2]. This will significantly improve situational awareness for thousands of satellites in Earth orbit^[2].

A Deeper Look into ODIN's Technology

ODIN's technology is designed to provide real-time alerts and independent monitoring of invisible orbital debris, even as small as a grain of sand^[1]. The system leverages the highest precision data on invisible debris, driving a new generation of mission operations. It allows satellite operators to configure their own risk tolerance and reduce their exposure to potential collisions^[1]. The system is capable of monitoring small debris in any orbit, at any altitude, and at any inclination. It provides real-time alerts when the orbit deteriorates and allows for the analysis of the population, size, and speed of debris in your orbit or surrounding orbits^[1].

The technology is data-driven, with reliable, high-quality data acquired in orbit. The ODIN Network generates the most reliable, highest-precision data available. This is the first and only tracking solution for invisible yet lethal orbital debris^[1].

How could such a system help with future space missions?

If ODIN can turn their concept into a commercial success, it will have a profound impact on the space industry. The ability to accurately map areas where debris is present would help to reduce the risk of damage to spacecraft and satellites. Not only would this have an economic impact by reducing the cost of research and development for space travel, but it will also encourage more investment into the area, especially for low-earth orbiting systems that provide telecommunications (such as Starlink). 

Early warning systems for debris could also lower the engineering requirements for satellites, reducing the need for redundant systems and shielding. If this was done, then a spacecraft could integrate more technologies (as a result of the weight loss), thereby making future systems far more advanced.

Overall, what ODIN has demonstrated is truly exciting, not just for the space industry but for the electronics industry. Now, ODIN needs to convince satellite manufacturers that their services are valuable and that their sensors are essential for any future spacecraft.

References

1. ODIN Space. (2023). On-orbit. Retrieved from https://www.odin.space/on-orbit
2. Dinner, J. (2023). The UK's ODIN Space just aced its 1st space junk tracking system test in orbit. Space.com. Retrieved from https://www.space.com/odin-space-completes-debris-tracking-demo
3. NASA. (2009). The Collision of Iridium 33 and Cosmos 2251: The Shape of Things to Come. Retrieved from https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20100002023/downloads/20100002023.pdf