Context:
EUSST (European Union Space Surveillance & Tracking) is a subcomponent of SSA (Situational Space Awareness) programme born from the need of management of the growing complexity of the orbital environment, and it is in charge of guaranteeing the safety and security of space environment either for space operations or the safeguard of space assets. This intricated orbital environment can result on a risk of collision between spacecraft and space debris. At the same time, objects may re-enter and cause damage on the ground. Therefore, the characterization of space surroundings though surveillance and tracking are essential allowing EUSST to have a broader insight of these circumstances. Currently, EUSST is providing services of Collision Avoidance (CA), Re-Entry Analysis (RE) and Fragmentation Analysis (FG.
Therefore, upgrading current ground sensors with higher capabilities to detect smaller space resident objects come with the reduction of dependence of third entities, benefiting EU with autonomy and costs reduction. Apart from this, it also enhances the quality of sensor observations.. In short, the impact of the project will be:
• An increase detection capacity in LEO
• A better coverage and sensor availability for the survey and tracking of MEO and GEO orbital regimes
To reach this, several activities have been carried out in the frame of SST Sensors and Processing to maximize the impact and contribution of EU SST towards ensuring a sustainable and guaranteed access to and use of space as well as global burden-sharing in the domain of Space Situational Awareness, accomplishing the safety and security of European economies, societies and citizens.
Overall objectives:
In order to ensure the safety of space environment and sustain Europe’s pioneering role in future missions, new activities are performed. These are the SST Sensors and Processing project activities, that has been implemented in the form of a Specific Grant Agreement (SGA) addressing the objectives identified in the Space Regulation and the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2021-2022. Likewise, in the Work Programme are defined the considered objectives of these activities:
• To support the upgrade and development of on-ground assets in particular radars and telescopes as well as data processing.
• To assess technological research & innovation to improve SST radiofrequency and sensors efficiency, processing integration and connectivity as well as Improve coverage area, geographical location and performance.
• Ensure an optimum evolution of the configuration and use of the EUSST sensors network, including the necessary raw data processing required to provide measurement data.
• Improved integration and connectivity of value-added sensors, ensuring their compliance to the minimum quality requirements (including protocols, procedures, formats and calibration status).
