Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques FHRThe increasing civilian and military use of space requires precise situational awareness to avoid collisions, predict reentries, and characterize objects. Networks of phased-array radars can improve spatial coverage, sensitivity, orbital accuracy, and classification. At Fraunhofer FHR, concepts, operating modes, signal processing, and resource management are developed and analyzed through simulations. This yields technology-based solutions that meet the rising demands of modern space infrastructures.
More active satellites and more space debris: the LEO is getting crowded. Precise knowledge of the space state is therefore essential for a secure space infrastructure. Fraunhofer FHR is researching technologies that can address these challenges now and in the future. An important building block: cooperative networks of phased-array radars. They offer the potential to enhance space surveillance performance for near-Earth orbits with respect to spatial coverage, sensitivity, accuracy of orbital determination, and object characterization. Operators, authorities, and industry are thus supported in reliable planning and safe operation of orbital systems.
Advantages of different network types and dynamic resource management
Fraunhofer FHR researchers develop a wide range of necessary concepts, methods, and algorithms for operation and signal processing and analyze and optimize these through simulations. Different geometries are considered, from networks with station separations of a few meters to hundreds of kilometers between stations to global networks. The research provides solutions for effective use of different network types and the methodological challenges that arise. Algorithms for object detection, tracking, cataloging, data fusion, and classification of target objects are developed at the forefront of research. These developments enable systems to be flexibly adapted to different use cases and to selectively increase their performance.
Another aspect is the development and optimization of dynamic radar resource management to ensure efficient use of time, energy, and computing power. This not only increases technical efficiency but also reduces long-term operational and infrastructure costs.
Analytical basis for expanding national and European space-surveillance capabilities
The results of Fraunhofer FHR’s work support, among others, political and scientific decision-makers in operational and economic analyses for the further expansion of national and European space-surveillance capabilities. They serve as an assessment basis and benefit estimation for efficient networking of radar sensing and enable comparison with the economic efficiency of monolithic space-surveillance systems. This provides Fraunhofer FHR with robust decision foundations for investments, collaborations, and strategic development programs in the European context.