STEP BY STEP REALIZATION OF AN OPERATIONAL ON ORBIT DETECTION NETWORK

Abstract

The knowledge of small (>, 100 µm) but abundant objects in space is low. To analyze the quantity of those small objects in Earth orbit is a challenging issue and a number of different methods has been proposed and investigated in the past. However, until today there is no realised solution, which provides sufficient measure-ment data to be used for software validation. To im-prove our knowledge regarding the space environment, a new type of in-situ sensor was developed at DLR in Bremen, Germany. The Solar panel based Impact Detector “SOLID” is a large-area impact sensor that can be placed on a spacecraft in any orbit and can provide measurement data continuously. This paper provides an overview regarding the already performed as well as planned development of the SOLID system. Further-more, the main objectives corresponding the first and second on orbit verification of SOLID on TechnoSat mission (2017) and S²TEP (2019) respectively are out-lined.