A Satellite Sensor for Detecting the Size and Speed of Space Debris

Space debris poses a significant threat to the safety and longevity of satellites. This paper proposes a novel smart surface technology for satellite shields that leverages a multilayer resistive track network and timing circuitry to detect and characterize space debris impacts. The system employs a four-layer sensor grid with vertical, horizontal, and diagonal tracks to enhance damage detection resolution and reduce ambiguities, enabling estimation of the size, shape, and speed of debris. Through a series of simulation tests, the system demonstrated its ability to detect both single and multiple impacts, resolve fine-scale damage, and distinguish overlapping or adjacent impact zones. The speed measurement subsystem uses counters, RC filters, comparators, and monostable timers to convert timing delays between impact events into velocity estimates. The results show that the system performs well and is robust in measuring the speed of the space debris. The proposed technology offers a low-cost, scalable, and integrable solution for in-situ tracking of space debris, with potential applications in satellite health monitoring, maintenance, and debris environment assessment.