A possible high frame rate multispectral detector system for space debris identification

Space debris is a growing problem for satellites in Earth orbit. With the ever increasing number of launches this problem is likely to get worse. While large pieces of debris can be tracked from the ground small pieces of less than 1 cm are difficult and are the more numerous. MSSL is part of the newly funded Global Network on Sustainability In Space (GNOSIS) which brings academic and industrial groups together to address the issues in space debris. A detector system comprising single photon sensitive detectors with spectral resolution and able to take a full picture every few microseconds offers a potential way of identify very small pieces of debris. Such a system does not currently exist. This research project aims to identify the drivers, the system specification, how such a system could be built and possible proof of concept demonstration. Such a system will be investigated not only for ground based use at telescopes but also as a space based imaging system.