Smart Retroreflectors
Smart-Retro® is a small and lightweight passive optical assembly consisting of a retroreflector and additional polarisation optics. These can be easily integrated into all satellites, including CubeSats, and enable millimetre-precise positioning and simultaneous identification via satellite laser ranging (SLR). In Europe, the satellite can be registered free of charge with the European Space Surveillance and Tracking Network (EU-SST), which can then provide improved orbit data and collision warnings with other satellites or space debris.
Brief Description
Smart-Retro® consists of a retroreflector and polarisation optics that can be attached to satellites and CubeSats. Smart-Retros help to provide improved orbit data and thus issue collision warnings with other satellites or space debris.
Applications
Identification of satellites
Mission support through precise orbit determination
Space Traffic Management (STM), also for larger satellite constructions
Improved collision warnings for satellites in orbit
Avoidance of space debris
Monitoring of satellites after the end of operation
Facts and Figures
Enables identification of satellites (up to 7 IDs for a single Smart Retro) by polarisation modulated SLR
High reliability and durability (target service life of >20 years in orbit)
Small and light (2.5 g for a Smart Retro)
Enables distance measurements to satellites in orbit with millimetre accuracy
Target orbit: LEO (altitude up to 600 km)
Simple integration into satellites
Smart-Retro can also be used to identify satellites from the ground via polarisation-modulated SLR, e.g. with an improved version of our compact SLR station, the miniSLR®. This avoids chaos caused by unidentified satellites in space. Identifying your own satellites makes it easier to establish contact by radio and allows any problems that arise to be resolved promptly. Space Traffic Management (STM) systems can only inform satellite operators about possible collisions and sensible evasive manoeuvres if the satellites are identified and registered. Satellite operators therefore benefit from the integration of Smart Retro into their satellites and can also contribute to the safe and sustainable utilisation of space with little effort.