Resident Space Objects Detection and Tracking with a Multi-Camera Telescope

The characterization of Resident Space Objects (RSOs) is essential for supporting various Space Situational Awareness functions, including precise orbit determination and collision prevention. Passive sensors, such as telescopes, have a remarkable role in this context. Indeed, unlike radars, which demand significant power and are limited in range for smaller objects since they rely on their back-scattered radiation, optical sensors guarantee long-range observations with high spatial resolution providing the capability to observe faint objects in high orbits. Additionally, telescopes offer wide field imaging capabilities, allowing for simultaneous tracking of multiple RSOs. The proposed work investigates the application of a visual detection and tracking algorithm applied to a multi-camera telescope to recognize potential objects of interest in large sky portions and provide information about their orbit and properties.