Forward-loving: In recent years, there has been an increase in traffic in low earth orbit. Increasing number of satellites is now motivating scientists to develop new management and trekking solutions, as GPS and ground-based stations may sometimes be unreliable or unavailable.
The Los Alamos National Laboratory has introduced a novel technique “spacecraft speedometer” to track satellites in low earth orbit. This compact, resource-skilled device can measure the speed of a satellite properly as it revolves around the planet. Researchers believe that it can also serve as a tracking solution for deep space missions.
On the ship, designed to provide real -time velocity measurements, the spacecraft enables the speedometer space agencies and commercial operators to predict satellite positions and to execute orbital maneuvers to avoid conflict with other satellites or space debris.
Los Alamos developed a system in response to the growing crowd at Leo, where the number of active satellites in 2019 increased from 2,287 to more than 10,000 in 2024. With the rise of mega-conflict, traffic management challenges are expected to be even more serious.
Current methods to track satellite speed and position rely on GPS or ground-based radar. While GPS works when a satellite has a working receiver, it can be incredible during solar storms. Meanwhile, the ground station can only stop the objects and track the objects -sometimes every few hours or days just once a day.
The newly introduced spacecraft speedometer offers a more reliable option for both systems, which also offers constant velocity data during the extreme space season. Researchers also suggest that it can track orbital insertion into the atmosphere of other planets, monitor the local space environment, and measure dangerous particle charging levels.
The device acquires these capabilities through its twin laminated plasma spectrometers, measuring charged particles (ions and electrons) that are striking in front and back of a spacecraft. Los Almos researchers compare this process by driving through a car through heavy rains: more raindrops hit the front windshield compared to the back. By analyzing this difference, the spacecraft speedometer can determine the speed and position of a satellite in real time.
