Next-Gen Space Surveillance: IoT-Driven Debris Tracking Systems

Next-Gen Space Surveillance: IoT-Driven Debris Tracking Systems | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Next-Gen Space Surveillance: IoT-Driven Debris Tracking Systems Kesava Rao Bagadi, Sai Krishna Kumar Kuchimanchi, Shaik Kareem, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7319112/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Purpose: The increasing threat of space debris to satellite operations necessitates cost-effective tracking solutions. The Satellite Space Junk Tracking System (SSJTS) aims to provide a low-cost, ground-based system for real-time space debris tracking using accessible hardware and software. The primary goal is to demonstrate the feasibility of accurate debris monitoring with minimal resources, making it a practical solution for space surveillance. Methods: The SSJTS uses Two-Line Element (TLE) data to determine debris positions, with real-time azimuth and altitude calculations performed using Skyfield, a Python library. An Arduino-based system collects GPS data and controls servo motors for automatic directional adjustments, enabling continuous tracking. The system prioritizes hardware simplicity and computational efficiency, avoiding complex visualization tools. Results: The implemented system successfully tracked space debris in real time using GPS and servo-controlled adjustments. The integration of TLE data, Skyfield calculations, and Arduino motor control proved effective for accurate positioning. The low-cost, hardware-focused approach demonstrated that reliable space debris monitoring is achievable without advanced infrastructure. Conclusion: The SSJTS validates the feasibility of a ground-based, cost-effective solution for space debris tracking. By leveraging open-source software and basic hardware, the system provides an accessible alternative for space monitoring. This project contributes to space debris management efforts, highlighting the potential for scalable, low-resource tracking systems in mitigating orbital collision risks. GPS Satellite Debris Two-Line Element IoT Arduino UNO Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7319112","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":509016960,"identity":"d8600ce7-9801-482d-b5f1-f528269d4c35","order_by":0,"name":"Kesava Rao Bagadi","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABC0lEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACAx5Uvg0DAzOExYOpGLuWNKAWZtK0HGaAW4MLmPMcPvzhZ5tdPn97A+ODHxXno+Xd+Q8w/KhhkDHHocWyty1Nsrct2XLGmQPMhj1nbuduPMzMwNhzjIHHsgGHw87zmDHwnGE2YLiRwCbN2AbU0gx0GG8DA4/BAVxa+D9//HOm3kD+RgL7b8Z/58BaGP/i03K2h0Gap+KwgQHQFmbGhgO584EhxozPFsueY2bSMhXHDQyBfpHsOZacu4GZ2eCwzDEJnFrMeZIff3xjUG0gd7yB8cOPGrvc+f0HHz58U2Njj0sLEuD/AHEqUCUQSRBUjwDyDSQoHgWjYBSMghEBAN/eVp4qIuFDAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Technology","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Kesava","middleName":"Rao","lastName":"Bagadi","suffix":""},{"id":509016961,"identity":"e8e8611c-112e-4724-a92e-81fc8be714dd","order_by":1,"name":"Sai Krishna Kumar Kuchimanchi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Sai","middleName":"Krishna Kumar","lastName":"Kuchimanchi","suffix":""},{"id":509016962,"identity":"afb4d004-694f-42cf-ab6b-dd6f13eef4bd","order_by":2,"name":"Shaik Kareem","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Shaik","middleName":"","lastName":"Kareem","suffix":""},{"id":509016965,"identity":"829553cc-07b6-4a5c-9759-86fe91b90fe6","order_by":3,"name":"Venkata Sai Kambham","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Venkata","middleName":"Sai","lastName":"Kambham","suffix":""},{"id":509016967,"identity":"27a01090-8688-4c11-9d7e-f3349618148f","order_by":4,"name":"Vishal Maddikunta","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Vishal","middleName":"","lastName":"Maddikunta","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-08-07 13:08:28","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7319112/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7319112/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":91697039,"identity":"9d058407-a55d-420c-85cb-cbfae075752a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-19 09:47:09","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1561349,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"KesavSpaceDebris.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7319112/v1_covered_6c3f8ea8-00fd-4d2e-92f7-26fa75189301.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Next-Gen Space Surveillance: IoT-Driven Debris Tracking Systems","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"GPS, Satellite Debris, Two-Line Element, IoT, Arduino UNO","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7319112/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7319112/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePurpose: \u003c/strong\u003eThe increasing threat of space debris to satellite operations necessitates cost-effective tracking solutions. The Satellite Space Junk Tracking System (SSJTS) aims to provide a low-cost, ground-based system for real-time space debris tracking using accessible hardware and software. The primary goal is to demonstrate the feasibility of accurate debris monitoring with minimal resources, making it a practical solution for space surveillance.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethods:\u003c/strong\u003e The SSJTS uses Two-Line Element (TLE) data to determine debris positions, with real-time azimuth and altitude calculations performed using Skyfield, a Python library. An Arduino-based system collects GPS data and controls servo motors for automatic directional adjustments, enabling continuous tracking. The system prioritizes hardware simplicity and computational efficiency, avoiding complex visualization tools.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResults:\u003c/strong\u003e The implemented system successfully tracked space debris in real time using GPS and servo-controlled adjustments. The integration of TLE data, Skyfield calculations, and Arduino motor control proved effective for accurate positioning. The low-cost, hardware-focused approach demonstrated that reliable space debris monitoring is achievable without advanced infrastructure.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusion:\u003c/strong\u003e The SSJTS validates the feasibility of a ground-based, cost-effective solution for space debris tracking. By leveraging open-source software and basic hardware, the system provides an accessible alternative for space monitoring. This project contributes to space debris management efforts, highlighting the potential for scalable, low-resource tracking systems in mitigating orbital collision risks.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Next-Gen Space Surveillance: IoT-Driven Debris Tracking Systems","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-09-03 06:25:10","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7319112/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"70c2d51a-ce16-41fb-90e1-55103650c6ae","owner":[],"postedDate":"September 3rd, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-09-19T09:39:02+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-09-03 06:25:10","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7319112","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7319112","identity":"rs-7319112","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}