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Smart-Retro - Retroreflector for satellite laser ranging and identification

Description:

The Smart-Retro is a small and lightweight passive optical assembly that consists of a solid cornercube retroreflector and additional polarization optics. These assemblies can easily be integrated into all satellites including CubeSats and allow for a millimeter precise position measurement via satellite laser ranging (SLR). In Europe, satellites can be registered with the European Space Surveillance and Tracking network (EU-SST) free of charge, which can then provide improved orbital data and conjunction warnings with other satellites or space debris. 
The Smart-Retro can additionally be used to identify satellites from ground via polarization-modulated SLR, e.g. with an upgraded version of our compact SLR station, the miniSLR®. This avoids confusion in space due to unidentified satellites, e.g. after cluster launches or if track custody has been lost. Identifying the own satellite facilitates establishing radio contact and to promptly troubleshoot the satellite in case of problems. Furthermore, Space Traffic Management (STM) systems are only able to inform the correct satellite operator in order to initiate collision avoidance maneuvers if satellites are identified and registered. Therefore, integrating the Smart-Retro into satellites will benefit satellite operators who additionally have the chance to contribute to a safe and sustainable space usage with small effort.

More information are avaible here.

Facts and figures:

• Allows to identify satellites (up to 7 IDs for a single Smart-Retro) via polarization-modulated SLR
• High reliability and durability (manufactured with space grade materials and tested for a targeted lifetime of >20 years in-orbit) 
• Small and lightweight (2.5 g for a single smart-Retro)
• Allows for highly accurate distance measurements to satellites in orbit (millimeter precision)
• Target satellite orbit: LEO (height of up to 600 km)
• Easy to integrate into satellites (available as single Smart-Retro and as retroreflector array) Applications and outlook:
• Identification of satellites, e.g. after cluster launches or if track-custody has been lost
• Satellite mission support via precise orbit determination (scientific and commercial)
• Space Traffic Management (STM), also for larger satellite constellations
• Improved collision warnings for satellites in orbit
• Helps to avoid the generation of space debris
• Monitoring of decommissioned satellites

Applications and outlook:

• Identification of satellites, e.g. after cluster launches or if track-custody has been lost
• Satellite mission support via precise orbit determination (scientific and commercial)
• Space Traffic Management (STM), also for larger satellite constellations
• Improved collision warnings for satellites in orbit
• Helps to avoid the generation of space debris
• Monitoring of decommissioned satellite
•  

Parties involved:

• DLR Institute of Technical Physics
• DLR Technology transfer