Achievements of Space Debris Observation

Over the years, Fujitsu has been working with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to develop and operate JAXA's system for observing space debris, and helping with its data processing and orbit analysis. There is a risk that space debris could collide with artificial satellites or hit the Earth's ground. Thus, JAXA has been tracking the orbital courses of debris using data from optical telescopes and radar observatories. Furthermore, the orbital data are used to monitor pieces of debris that approach satellites, and to calculate their re-entry into the atmosphere. Fujitsu has been supporting this endeavor through technological engineering and system development. We have developed a high-precision orbit calculation technology to track pieces of orbiting debris, monitor their approach to satellites, and provide analysis and forecast their re-entry into the atmosphere. Also, with enhanced space debris observation and technology to optimize observation plans, we have succeeded in making orbit tracking more efficient with fewer ground stations. As for the system development, we have striven to ensure higher computational accuracy in orbit calculation and analysis, developing a parallel computation system and automation in order to process a vast amount of data in a short time. This paper explains the structure and features of this system, developed for managing and analyzing space debris. It also describes the specific technologies applied in major observational tasks, and their results.