Collision avoidance operations of DEIMOS-1 and DEIMOS-2 missions

Abstract

Deimos Imaging (Spain), a subsidiary of UrtheCast Corp. (Canada), owns two commercial Earth Observation (EO) missions, DEIMOS-1 and DEIMOS-2. Both missions fly on Sun-Synchronous Low Earth Orbit (LEO), in a range of altitudes from 600 to 650 km. This orbit environment is known for its high density of operational and non-operational objects, and thus an efficient Collision Avoidance (CA) procedure is of key importance to assure the survivability of each mission. Real collision threats usually happen once a year, but tens of other risky events have been studied since the beginning of each mission. This paper focuses on the Deimos Imaging’s own suite of CA tools which support the full chain of CA procedures, from early detection, optimal maneuver computation and implementation, to post-event analyses, which includes maneuver calibration, propulsion system status and orbit change evaluation.