Space Debris Quantum Imaging Service
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
Satellites provide essential and extremely reliable services related to communication, broadcasting, and earth observation. The increasing presence of debris orbiting the earth, the result of the ever expanding space activities and explorations, is threatening the security of satellites and the reliability of the services they provide. A tiny debris colliding with a satellite is enough to damage it and put it out of service. As a result, there is a growing need for improved detection of the debris moving close to satellite orbits and their exact trajectories, so that collision-avoiding maneuvers can be performed in time.
This project is a feasibility study in to the use of quantum imaging to improve the identification of space debris with the objective of evaluating whether a service offering improved accuracy can be provided on a commercially viable basis to satellite operators. It will be performed by a consortium composed of the satellite operator Avanti and the quantum imaging group at the University of Birmingham.
Starting from a precise technical definition of the problem provided by Avanti, the University of Birmingham will critically assess recent proposals to improve the detection of remote objects with light in quantum LIDAR systems, and build solutions based on these. These proposals will rely on the quantum nature of light, e.g. to provide capabilities such as the detecting small optical signals buried in the ambient light, the amplification of small signal without adding noise for easier detection, and the conversion between light and microwaves to combine the advantages of LIDAR and RADAR. The practicality and commercial viability of the final solutions in the context of the satellite industry will be evaluated by Avanti.
The project focuses on the specific problem of space debris detection but the methods that we will consider are generic and will have broad applicability. It is expected that the conclusions that we will reach here will be of value for a large class of problems spanning many industries.
This project is a feasibility study in to the use of quantum imaging to improve the identification of space debris with the objective of evaluating whether a service offering improved accuracy can be provided on a commercially viable basis to satellite operators. It will be performed by a consortium composed of the satellite operator Avanti and the quantum imaging group at the University of Birmingham.
Starting from a precise technical definition of the problem provided by Avanti, the University of Birmingham will critically assess recent proposals to improve the detection of remote objects with light in quantum LIDAR systems, and build solutions based on these. These proposals will rely on the quantum nature of light, e.g. to provide capabilities such as the detecting small optical signals buried in the ambient light, the amplification of small signal without adding noise for easier detection, and the conversion between light and microwaves to combine the advantages of LIDAR and RADAR. The practicality and commercial viability of the final solutions in the context of the satellite industry will be evaluated by Avanti.
The project focuses on the specific problem of space debris detection but the methods that we will consider are generic and will have broad applicability. It is expected that the conclusions that we will reach here will be of value for a large class of problems spanning many industries.
Planned Impact
The primary impact of the project will be the delivery of a technology and commercial road map to a service providing effective detection of space debris orbiting close to commercial satellites. In the long run, the successful implementation of such a service would increase the reliability of the satellite-based services we all depend on (communications, positioning, broadcasting, observation, etc.), and help protect extremely expensive commercial assets. In the solution envisioned in this project, quantum-enhanced debris detection, which is expected to be technologically difficult and demanding, would be delivered as a commercial service to satellite operators.
The technology reviewed in the project, although cutting-edge, is generic and likely to have a broad-ranging applicability. It is therefore expected that the technical and commercial evaluation of quantum LIDAR and associated proposals will be of value for industries relying on imaging, remote detection and ranging based on optical technologies.
The technology reviewed in the project, although cutting-edge, is generic and likely to have a broad-ranging applicability. It is therefore expected that the technical and commercial evaluation of quantum LIDAR and associated proposals will be of value for industries relying on imaging, remote detection and ranging based on optical technologies.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Vincent Boyer (Principal Investigator) |
| Description | Space debris orbiting around the Earth are a danger for artificial satellites. Current detection and alert systems are not good enough for satellite operators to be confident that they can move their satellites out debris trajectories when required. Also small debris cannot be currently detected. The project aimed to evaluate the prospects of a commercial offering in sensitive and accurate space debris detection based on quantum technologies (QT). The key findings are: - Quantum technologies based on quantum imaging are not mature enough to provide an increase in sensitivity compared to current classical technologies (both for radars and optical telescopes). - On the other hand quantum technologies based on clocks and optical clocks are on the cusp of democratising time-based navigation and positioning. This has the potential of augmenting classical technologies (radars and optical telescope) so that networks of such devices can reach an accuracy far superior to the accuracy of a single observational device and the current government and commercial offering for space debris detection. |
| Exploitation Route | Satellite operators and the space sector in general can use our findings to develop their own space debris detection and alert systems. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) |
| Description | Our study showed that one of the most promising pathways to improve radar imaging was to enhance the signal timing resolution with quantum oscillators. Since the end of the project, the Quantum Technology Hub for Sensing and Timing at the University of Birmingham has embarked in a project to realise such a device, in collaboration with the radar company Aveillant. Quantum-enhanced radars are predicted to be 1000 times more sensitive for low-speed target such as drones, a crucial application for the safety of airports. Other benefits will be a reduction of the number of false detections, a better angular resolution and an increased rate of detection. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics,Transport |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic |