Spacecraft Collision Avoidance: Data Management, Risk Assessment, Decision Planning Models and Algorithms

This chapter explores the role of data management, risk assessment, and decision-support algorithms for spacecraft collision avoidance. It discusses the important role of space monitoring and detection technologies in gathering data crucial to adequate space traffic management and risk mitigation. The chapter explores various data collection methods, processing techniques, and data integration within advanced collision avoidance decision-planning frameworks. We discuss the challenges of handling data from diverse space monitoring technologies and provide an overview of methods developed for data integration and fusion. In addition, the chapter gives an overview of models and algorithms for assessing collision risks, maneuver planning, and execution. Particularly, it discusses emerging trends, including artificial intelligence and data-driven decision-making, that enhance situational awareness and proactive collision avoidance strategies. Overall, this work seeks to provide an outline of the different technological aspects involved in successful collision avoidance implementation, from data management to risk assessment and decision planning, in order to ensure the safety and sustainability of space operations.