Enabling direct feedback between initial orbit determination and sensor data processing for detection and tracking of space objects

This paper presents an automatic RSO detection and tracking scheme operating at the optical sensor system level. The software presented is a pipeline for processing ground or space-based imagery built from several subalgorithms which processes raw or calibrated imagery, detects and discriminates non-star objects, and associates observations over time. An orbit determination routine uses an admissible region to start off an unscented particle filter. This preliminary orbit estimate allows prediction of the appearance of the object in the next frame. A matched filter uses this imagery to provide feedback to the initial detection and tracking process.