Tracking the orbits of small space debris with ionospheric plasma waves

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Bernhardt, P.A. and Eliasson, B.E. and Scales, W.A. and Howarth, A. and Foss, V. and Scott, R.L. and McKay, S.; (2026) Tracking the orbits of small space debris with ionospheric plasma waves. In: 2026 United States National Committee of URSI National Radio Science Meeting (USNC-URSI NRSM). IEEE, USA, p. 428. ISBN 978-1-946815-21-7 (https://doi.org/10.23919/nrsm68586.2026.11550947)

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Abstract

Tracking and detecting small objects in space can now employ plasma waves produced as these objects pass through the ionosphere. Computer simulations and laboratory measurements predict that this technique, called Space Object Identification with Measurements of Orbit Driven Waves (SOIMOW) will find objects that are not seen by optical and radar systems. In situ observations have confirmed the presence of these plasma waves, during space sensor conjunctions with known space objects. Small space objects, when they pass through a structured environment, can generate whistler mode waves observable with both ground sensors and remote satellite instruments. Space debris and satellites moving through plasma irregularities excite electric and magnetic emissions such as whistler, compressional Alfvén, or lower hybrid waves. A whistler wave disturbance is generated by conversion of orbital kinetic energy into an electromagnetic plasma oscillation when a charged space object encounters a region of field aligned density irregularities (FADIs). Whistlers propagate undamped at around 9000 km/s from the source regions and can be detected by the e-POP RRI at large ranges over 100 km from the space debris target. Similarly, fast magnetosonic waves with Alfven speeds have been detected out to these ranges of 100 km with the in situ, electric field probes on the Canadian CASSIOPE/Swarm-E spacecraft. The spectral “FLASH” signatures of space debris are uniquely found between the local ion cyclotron and the upper hybrid frequencies (Figure 1).

ORCID iDs

Bernhardt, P.A., Eliasson, B.E. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6039-1574, Scales, W.A., Howarth, A., Foss, V., Scott, R.L. and McKay, S.;
  • Item type:Book Section
    ID code:96616
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    11 June 2026
    Published
    Subjects:Science > Astronomy
    Science > Physics
    Department:Faculty of Science > Physics
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:23 Jun 2026 13:24
    Last modified:05 Sep 2026 00:03
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/96616
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