Raytheon have a decent solution for this in development. It's called the MOKV, the Multiple Object Kill Vehicle
But maybe a TCAS system like planes use could work.
Where the satellites can take their own action to move out of the way in opposite directions if they sense a proximity issue.
It would likely have to be based on a global tracking system of all sats, rather a than radio signal/transponder system like TCAS.
Depending on the orbits the collision could be a slow approach or a head on collision at km's per second with little time to detect a short range transponder before impact.
And the issue of satellites with hall/plasma/ion thrusters not being able to move fast means you need lots of advanced warning.
But maybe a TCAS system like planes use could work.
Where the satellites can take their own action to move out of the way in opposite directions if they sense a proximity issue.
It would likely have to be based on a global tracking system of all sats, rather a than radio signal/transponder system like TCAS.
Depending on the orbits the collision could be a slow approach or a head on collision at km's per second with little time to detect a short range transponder before impact.
And the issue of satellites with hall/plasma/ion thrusters not being able to move fast means you need lots of advanced warning.
We already have a tracking system of all satellites and larger debris. TCAS for sats sounds neat, but I think it wouldn't be feasable. Current sats in space can't be upgraded, and we still have to track debris. What about rogue sats or ones with a broken TCAS?
But maybe a TCAS system like planes use could work.
Where the satellites can take their own action to move out of the way in opposite directions if they sense a proximity issue.
But maybe a TCAS system like planes use could work.
Where the satellites can take their own action to move out of the way in opposite directions if they sense a proximity issue.The orbital mechanics require satellites to take action while on the other side of the orbit the potential collision would occur, at least that is the location where you get the biggest change of height in the shortest time with the lowest amount of fuel.
You could move a satellite sideways (change its inclination), but it would cost lots of fuel for very little change.
So there is no direct line of sight/communication and for proximity based systems this would be too late, as most satellite thrusters do not have a lot of thrust (provide only a small fraction of the weight of the satellite, making this a very slow process). They are built for small corrections that need to take place at the right time.
As far as i understood it, TCAS in planes more or less assumes all others stay on their course on their altitude (as in a circular orbit), satellites do not necessarily have to have a circular orbit, making the calculations and detection way more complex.
Video about collisions in space and collision avoidance:
I still find it hard to believe in a three dimensional space (spherical skin with depth of x meters or kms) the size of the earths diameter plus a tiny bit - that satellites really get that close to each other - ever! Unless they are programmed to do so (conspiracy theory time!).
Am I wrong? Please help my old grey matter understand if so. I just dont see it happening. Sure, space debris, but that is many many magnitudes higher density.
There really should be some kind of space traffic control a commercial satellite operator should have to stay in touch with to coordinate maneuvering.
Is a satellite considered a vehicle, wonder if you can get car insurance for one.
"Sir, can you clarify your speed before the collision? Are you still on the accident scene? We're going to need to send an adjuster. "There really should be some kind of space traffic control a commercial satellite operator should have to stay in touch with to coordinate maneuvering.
This is probably the best bet, I think they already do track space objects including junk, so it could be the thing of predicting collisions way ahead of time, calculating the most efficient maneuver, and time, and then sending the info to the operator. Kinda like a "btw your satellite will collide with xyz on this date, to correct, follow this maneuver".
This is probably the best bet, I think they already do track space objects including junk, so it could be the thing of predicting collisions way ahead of time, calculating the most efficient maneuver, and time, and then sending the info to the operator. Kinda like a "btw your satellite will collide with xyz on this date, to correct, follow this maneuver".