Space Object
Research on space objects focuses on improving the detection, tracking, and characterization of both known and unknown objects in orbit, primarily to address the growing problem of space debris and enable safe and efficient space operations. Current research employs a variety of techniques, including machine learning (e.g., convolutional neural networks, recurrent neural networks, and autoencoders), Structure from Motion algorithms, and neural radiance fields (NeRFs) for tasks such as object detection, pose estimation, 3D reconstruction, and orbit prediction. These advancements are crucial for enhancing space situational awareness, improving the safety of space missions, and facilitating the development of active debris removal and on-orbit servicing technologies.
Papers
3D Reconstruction of Non-cooperative Resident Space Objects using Instant NGP-accelerated NeRF and D-NeRF
Basilio Caruso, Trupti Mahendrakar, Van Minh Nguyen, Ryan T. White, Todd Steffen
Autonomous Rendezvous with Non-cooperative Target Objects with Swarm Chasers and Observers
Trupti Mahendrakar, Steven Holmberg, Andrew Ekblad, Emma Conti, Ryan T. White, Markus Wilde, Isaac Silver
Performance Study of YOLOv5 and Faster R-CNN for Autonomous Navigation around Non-Cooperative Targets
Trupti Mahendrakar, Andrew Ekblad, Nathan Fischer, Ryan T. White, Markus Wilde, Brian Kish, Isaac Silver