Patent Granted - the Trace, Track, and Tackle sequence of space debris detection and mitigation

Southern Cross Outback Observatories Project has received its first patent by the USPTO. This patent is related to our novel Trace, Track and Tackle sequence - an incremental detection refinement protocol for optical detection and characterisation, and orbital and ground-based ADR of 1-10cm LEO debris. We demonstrated the prototype detection and characterisation of a 10-11cm debris last year using the detection part of this sequence. Muhammad Ayaz Hussain is now working on developing algorithms for the next Tracer phase of the sequence. 

The purpose of this technology is to achieve optical detection and tracking of small debris in LEO to an unprecedented level of precision using dynamic triangulation with synchronized mobile observatories deployed across the entire Australian Outback. The acquired precision will enable orbital capture or ground-based laser ADR of the 1-10cm LEO debris. 

Further details of the technology will be made public in due course. 

P.S. USPTO has stopped issuing physical copies of patents since 2023, but somehow they made an exception for us, for which we are very thankful to them.

The cover page of the actual patent document

Part of the Trace, Track and Tackle Sequence explained