13 min read·
Ground radar vs optical telescopes vs space-based sensors for debris tracking: accuracy and coverage compared
Compares three primary orbital debris tracking approaches: ground-based radar (US Space Surveillance Network tracks 27,000+ objects ≥10 cm), optical telescopes (effective for GEO debris down to 1 m), and emerging space-based sensors (capable of detecting sub-centimeter fragments). Evaluates detection thresholds, catalog accuracy, latency, and cost per tracked object.