A fast algorithm for the detection of faint orbital debris tracks in optical images

TL;DR

This paper introduces a rapid and sensitive algorithm combining matched filtering and Fourier Radon transform to detect faint orbital debris tracks in optical images, enabling efficient analysis of space debris populations.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel fast algorithm that improves detection sensitivity and speed for faint linear tracks in optical images of space debris.

Findings

Reliable detection of faint debris tracks in noisy images

Processing a 4096x4096 image in less than a minute

Effective detection even when tracks are visually invisible

Abstract

Moving objects leave extended tracks in optical images acquired with a telescope that is tracking stars or other targets. By searching images for these tracks, one can obtain statistics on populations of space debris in Earth orbit. The algorithm described here combines matched filtering with a Fourier implementation of the discrete Radon transform and can detect long linear tracks with high sensitivity and speed. Monte-Carlo simulations show that such tracks, in a background of Poisson random noise, can be reliably detected even if they are invisible to the eye. On a 2.2 GHz computer the algorithm can process a 4096 x 4096-pixel image in less than a minute.