Feasibility Study of Passive Space Debris Detection via Scattered Satellite Communication Signals

Tutor: Louis Lagona
Type of Thesis: Project (MSc)
date of end: -
Student: Hannah Feiler
Status: finished
ANT-shelfmark:
Abstract:

The project investigates whether space-borne or ground receivers can passively detect 1 mm–10 cm debris by isolating signal components that have scattered off the objects from existing satellite communication waveforms (BPSK, QPSK, OFDM). A simplified two-ray delay-Doppler channel model, augmented with radar-cross-section estimates, is combined with link-budget and waveform simulations to quantify detectability across S- to Ka-band, LEO–GEO orbits, and debris geometries. Parameter sweeps generate delay-Doppler heat maps that reveal the conditions under which scattered energy exceeds receiver sensitivity, thereby closing the current observational gap cost-effectively. Findings will guide future satellite mission designs and contribute to space-situational-awareness research. 

Last change on 17.12.2025 by L. Lagona
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