Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and non-transitory media of the various embodiments provide for a three dimensional tool for depicting the variability of probability of collision (Pc) inputs to Pc estimates. The depictions generated by the various embodiments may be used to quantify the quality of Pc input data required to yield actionable Pc estimates. Various embodiments may provide a graphical user interface (GUI) for a computing device that may display a three dimensional depiction of the variability of Pc inputs to Pc estimates.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and non-transitory media of the various embodiments provide for a three dimensional tool for depicting the variability of probability of collision (Pc) inputs to Pc estimates. The depictions generated by the various embodiments may be used to quantify the quality of Pc input data required to yield actionable Pc estimates. Various embodiments may provide tools for depicting Pc validation results. Various embodiments may provide a GUI for a computing device that may depict Pc validation results.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and non-transitory media of the various embodiments may enable formalized execution of model integrated descriptive architecture languages, such as Unified Modeling Language (UML). In addition, the systems, methods, devices, and non-transitory media of the various embodiments may be used to generate a graphical representation of a simulation. In an embodiment, a Unifying Framework for Orchestration and Simulation (UFOS) environment may be implemented to generate an agent behavior model using abstract objects from an ontological model.

Abstract: Methods and systems for converting a point cloud dataset into a hierarchical data structure for a lossless representation of an input file are provided herein. In various embodiments the method comprises recursing subtrees using a preordered traversal for a plurality of nodes, the preordered traversal being checking a parent node and then checking children nodes and stopping the recursing of the subtrees using the preordered traversal of the plurality of nodes when a node of the plurality of nodes is a below threshold node. The below threshold node being less than a configuration specified maximum number of data points, the below threshold node being a leaf of a tileset. Further comprising, aggregating the leaf of the tileset into a lossless representation of the collection of input files.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and non-transitory media of the various embodiments provide for a volumetric approach to determining orbital encounters that may determine the number of encounters over a specified length of time. Such information may be used to determine how often during an orbit or period of time an object might trigger a conjunction warning for a neighboring satellite. The various embodiments may be used as a planning and characterization tool to estimate satellite encounter rates for a prospective orbit regime and may provide an efficient, in-line approach to assess the number of encounters occurring within a user-specified span of time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for three dimensional modeling using skipping heuristics and fusing are disclosed herein. An example method includes obtaining a plurality of three dimensional models of a target, each of the models having a unique resolution level, assembling an aggregate three dimensional model using a hierarchical tree representation of the plurality of three dimensional models by skipping levels of detail in the hierarchical tree and rendering the levels of the hierarchical tree that were not skipped. Fusing overlapping sections of the aggregate model can be accomplished using bivariate visibility testing.

Abstract: A computing device may detect that a space object has undergone a maneuver and may attempt to calculate a solution to that maneuver based in part on start and stop times and thrust uncertainties associated with the detected maneuver. However, the computing device may sometimes be unable to calculate an acceptable solution for a detected maneuver given these initial start and stop times and thrust uncertainties. Thus, the various embodiments provide for a computing device and methods implemented by a processor executing on the device for identifying and calculating a recovery maneuver of a space object when an acceptable solution for a detected maneuver cannot be determined. In the various embodiments, a computing device processor may generate a recovery maneuver based on the detected maneuver, and the processor may adjust the start and stop times and the uncertainty values of the recovery maneuver until an acceptable solution is found.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for the visualization of the region of a 3-dimensional space obstructed from a viewing location by an ellipsoid are disclosed. In an embodiment, the obstructed region may be defined from primitive elements which are combined using Boolean operations. The primitive elements chosen may be represented using both implicit functions and/or parametric surfaces. In an embodiment, the implicit function representation may be used to quickly determine points on candidate surfaces which may be obstructed from view. In an embodiment, the parametric representation may be used to provide ray-surface intersection solutions enabling visualization of the boundary surface of the obstruction region.

Abstract: A device and method for displaying data simultaneously in two-dimensional and three-dimensional formats. A user selects data to be represented in multiple formats simultaneously. A data rendition server retrieves the data and determines the three-dimensional representations that are possible. The user then selects the three-dimensional representation desired, and the server renders the data to the user in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional formats. The data may be rendered together with static data such as digital terrain data and other static data types. Data representations may be rotated and morphed as desired by the user.

Abstract: A device and method for presenting augmented image data. An image capture device captures an image together with information about the image. Alternatively a data logger may capture additional information about a particular image. The image and additional information is sent to a database where a server analyzes the augmented image and relates the augmented image to other images in the database. A subsequent user may query the database for all images and augmented information for a particular area, location, or object and retrieve that collected information for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: Determining a launch window from anywhere within a specified area to avoid or minimize close approaches between a launch vehicle and orbiting space objects. A method and apparatus is disclosed for minimizing close approaches, or conjunctions between spacecraft being launched from anywhere within a specified area and other objects in space during the launch and early deployment phase of their lifetime, by defining a launch window, utilizing and identifying launch window blackout times to avoid close approaches of launch trajectories from anywhere within an area with remaining objects in space as noted in a space object catalog.

Abstract: A device and method for displaying data simultaneously in two-dimensional and three-dimensional formats. A user selects data to be represented in multiple formats simultaneously. A data rendition server retrieves the data and determines the three-dimensional representations that are possible. The user then selects the three-dimensional representation desired, and the server renders the data to the user in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional formats. The data may be rendered together with static data such as digital terrain data and other static data types. Data representations may be rotated and morphed as desired by the user.

Abstract: A system and method for detection of anti-satellite vulnerability of an orbiting platform. An engagement volume processing unit receives a maximum impulse velocity of an SBI launched from a carrier platform of interest, a maximum time of flight (TOF) until intercept, and orbital data of the carrier platform of interest. A family of interceptor imparted velocities in a VNC frame is determined. The engagement volume processing unit applies the family of velocities over “N” release points using a carrier platform propagator to determine an engagement volume. A display and alert processing unit generates a visual representation of the engagement volume and sends the visual representation to the display device for display.

Abstract: An extended Kalman filter (EKF) is combined with a fixed epoch smoother (FES) to produce a new variable lag smoother (VLS). The fixed epoch lags EKF measurement time-tags with variable time lag. The combination of EKF and FES is referred to herein as a variable lag smoother (VLS).

Abstract: Determining a launch window from anywhere within a specified area to avoid or minimize close approaches between a launch vehicle and orbiting space objects. A method and apparatus is disclosed for minimizing close approaches, or conjunctions between spacecraft being launched from anywhere within a specified area and other objects in space during the launch and early deployment phase of their lifetime, by defining a launch window, utilizing and identifying launch window blackout times to avoid close approaches of launch trajectories from anywhere within an area with remaining objects in space as noted in a space object catalog.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing the risk of conjunction of a rocket body with orbiting and non-orbiting platforms. Two-body orbital dynamics are used to initially determine the kinematic access for a ballistic vehicle. The access may be represented in two ways: as a volume relative to its launcher and also as a geographical footprint relative to a target position that encompasses all possible launcher locations.

Abstract: An expert system and method for aircraft mission modeling using a matrix application, a preferred embodiment of which is incorporated into Mission Modeler software used in conjunction with Satellite Toolkit (STK) software. More generally, the invention is an expert system that draws on an extensive set of basic building blocks that represent standard aircraft maneuvers and concepts, and assembles those building blocks into complex and realistic sequences that represent aircraft motion with very high fidelity. One benefit of this invention is that it provides a simple system and method for users with no piloting experience to generate highly realistic flight paths.

Abstract: Collision probability analysis for spherical objects exhibiting linear relative motion is accomplished by combining covariances and physical object dimensions at the point of closest approach. The resulting covariance ellipsoid and hardbody are projected onto the plane perpendicular to relative velocity by assuming linear relative motion and constant positional uncertainty throughout the brief encounter. Collision potential is determined from the object footprint on the projected, two-dimensional, covariance ellipse. To accommodate nonlinear motion in accordance with the disclosed embodiments, the dimension associated with relative velocity is reintroduced by segmenting the collision tube volume into a plurality of mitered tube sections modeled as bundles of parallelepipeds in Mahalanobis space. Disclosed embodiments compute the probability of each parallelepiped as the combined object passes through the space, and sums.

Abstract: In order to address the challenge associated with the analysis and visualization of large datasets, a method and apparatus provides for visualizing data clouds using color and opacity blending. The information stored within the data cloud is represented using a data container object. The colors and opacities associated with the container object's data point or points is blended to develop two-dimensional computer generated imagery that is unique to the virtual reference point chosen, typically within an OpenGL environment. The result is the ability to understand the sample density of large interactively rendered datasets from different reference points and as the datasets change over time.

Abstract: A “field of view” (FOV) consists of all possible directions along which scalar valued functions satisfy selected thresholds. This combination of a scalar function and a threshold is called a FOV constraint and a method is used to compute one or more directional contours or horizons that encompass regions of space that comprise FOV. The method is independent from the nature or the number of FOV constraints. If a single constraint produces multiple regions or regions with holes, the constraint is preferably redefined as a set of several simpler constituent constraints combined using logical AND operations. Each constituent constraint produces a single closed boundary contour with constraint region inside or outside of the contour.