Space-based systems are not a new concept for Space surveillance. In 1996, JPL placed the Midcourse SpaceExperiment (MSX) on a Sun-synchronous orbit to expand the NASA's catalogue of the resident space objects,particularly in the geosynchronous orbit (GEO) region. Space-based optical surveillance offers the advantage ofsurveillance of the whole GEO region even with a single satellite, in a cost-effective fashion and free fromatmospheric effects. However, while satellite and debris population has been increasing steadily in the alreadycluttered and commercially critical GEO region, not many projects for space-based optical surveillance have beenforthcoming. On one hand, a dedicated constellation for space-based surveillance of this region could provide timelydata that could prove critical for conjunction analysis; yet, increasing launch costs suggest that funding constellationsfor such missions would be extremely difficult. We propose that a secondary payload on an existing constellation (inour study, GALILEO) could be the answer to this problem. We begin by characterizing the GEO debris and satellitepopulation and define the requirements and the design of an optical sensor for surveillance from GALILEO orbit. Wethen analyse different observation strategies depending on the number and the orbital placement of the sensors.Finally, using ESA PROOF software, we present the estimated number of detection opportunities that could beexpected from such a system.
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