Automatic Detection of Asteroids and Meteoroids - A Wide Field Survey

TL;DR

This paper presents a cost-effective robotic optical survey system designed to detect small Near Earth Objects, space debris, and asteroids in real-time, enhancing planetary defense and space resource utilization.

Contribution

Introduction of a low-cost, wide-field robotic survey system optimized for fast-moving small asteroids and space debris detection with real-time alerts.

Findings

System cost is approximately 1 million EUR for 3 years.

Successful demonstration will enable global deployment of ADAM-WFS systems.

System effectively detects fast-moving, small NEAs and space debris.

Abstract

We propose a low-cost robotic optical survey aimed at $1-300$ m Near Earth Objects (NEO) based on four state-of-the-art telescopes having extremely wide field of view. The small Near-Earth Asteroids (NEA) represent a potential risk but also easily accessible space resources for future robotic or human space in-situ exploration, or commercial activities. The survey system will be optimized for the detection of fast moving - trailed - asteroids, space debris and will provide real-time alert notifications. The expected cost of the system including 1-year development and 2-year operation is 1,000,000 EUR. The successful demonstration of the system will promote cost-efficient ADAM-WFS (Automatic Detection of Asteroids and Meteoroids - A Wide Field Survey) systems to be built around the world.