Space debris detection using Laser Communications Demonstration Equipment

In order to know the potential hazard of the space debris around the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS) and to develop the technology to detect small-sized space debris (1-1.0 cm), an observation experiment is currently planned to detect space debris around the ISS. The experiment is fully taking advantage of the capability of the Laser Communications Demonstration Equipment (LCDE) onboard the Japanese Experimental Module to be attached to the ISS. The sunlight reflected from the debris surface will be used initially for tracking since this provides tracking angle information. After the direction of the debris is known, a narrow laser beam from the transmitter in the LCDE will be pointed at the debris, and the laser light reflected by the debris will be detected by the receiver in the LCDE. This paper presents the results of the study on the sensitivity of the debris detection using the LCDE and on the optimization of transmitting laser beam profiles.