Optimised Collision Avoidance for Satellite Operators

The Challenge

Efficiently reducing the risk of collision during a close conjunction is a time-consuming process. 

Operators often face a dilemma: either candidate manoeuvres fall short in reducing the probability of collision, or sorting through multiple manoeuvre options becomes overwhelming. 

Even with the earlier approach of delivering manoeuvre suggestions via Neuraspace’s space traffic management platform, operators may have to sift through numerous choices, waiting for the system to generate solutions that meet mission-critical requirements.

Solution

To streamline and enhance collision avoidance manoeuvre (CAM) planning, Neuraspace has now implemented an advanced optimisation algorithm.

This system delivers a concise set of highly efficient manoeuvre options tailored to operators specifications and constraints, significantly reducing the time and complexity of the decision-making process. 

Manoeuvre settings such as propulsion capabilities and desired manoeuvring time with respect to time of closest approach (TCA) can be configured for each spacecraft. When a high-risk conjunction is identified, Neuraspace's algorithm generates optimised manoeuvres in minutes, ensuring rapid response and mitigation.

Furthermore, Neuraspace also introduced the innovative “Free Slots” feature, offered as an API. Using this, operators can upload predefined time windows when they are available to perform manoeuvres. 

The algorithm then aligns the optimisation process to provide the best manoeuvre options within these operationally convenient slots.

Benefits

Neuraspace’s new optimised manoeuvre generation offers several improvements relative to existing functionality.

Fuel Efficiency: The manoeuvres generated are significantly more fuel-efficient than traditional methods, enabling better spacecraft resource management.

Higher-Quality Suggestions: The system presents options each optimised for effectiveness, minimising the cognitive load on operators when selecting the best manoeuvre.

Operational Flexibility: With the Free Slots feature, operators can ensure that manoeuvres are proposed within specific time windows, improving the convenience and practicality of execution.

Faster Response: The time required to generate manoeuvre suggestions is reduced by up to 10x, transforming the process from receiving conjunction updates to selecting a mitigation option from a slow 20-30 minute task to just 2-3 minutes.

Comparing Approaches: Grid Search vs. MANO Optimisation

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Interested in enhancing your collision avoidance capabilities?

Neuraspace’s CAM optimisation algorithm and Free Slots feature are part of our PRO tier (premium version) of the Space Traffic Management platform.

To know more about our PRO tier, schedule a call today. 

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Cover image credits: Neuraspace via Dall E

Image in the blog: © Neuraspace