Space Signatures for Rapid Unambiguous Identification of Satellites

Applied Defense Solutions (ADS) has embarked upon a new approach to data correlation and aggregation using a space object taxonomy that provides a set of unique signatures for automatically recognizing and classifying a space object. The goal of this Space Signatures effort is to find automated techniques that will enable analysts to take signature data from different phenomenology sensors, combine them, and discern more intelligence than can be determined from the individual sensors alone. The Phase 1 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project focused on photometric light curve data as the initial data source and utilized the GOTS Ananke software suite to ingest evidence from a Multiple Model Adaptive Estimator (MMAE). ADS showed that its Hierarchical Reasoning Tool (HRT) can rapidly, decisively, and accurately select the correct object identification hypothesis based upon the priors and the observational evidence supplied by the MMAE. Phase II will demonstrate the capability to assert evidence from multiple tools and varying quantity and quality data sources in an asynchronous mode as well as pursue full automation of the hierarchical reasoning process. Furthermore, ADS will demonstrate the HRT in a variety of simulated and real data scenarios.