Monitoring objects orbiting earth using satellite-based telescopes

A system for predicting collision between target objects that are in earth orbit, the system comprising:

• an initial prediction store that stores information identifying initial collision predictions between target objects, the initial collision predictions being identified based on initial orbital models of the target objects;
• a scheduler that generates schedules for collecting images from satellites of the target objects of a collision prediction, the schedules being generated based on when a target object will have a close approach to a satellite that can make an observation of the target object, the close approach being determined based on the initial orbital models;
• a communication interface that directs transmission to the satellites of the schedules and receives from the satellites information relating to observations of the target objects;
• and
• a data analyzer that generates refined orbital models for the target objects based on the received information derived from the observations and the initial orbital models and generates a refined collision prediction using the refined orbital models.

A network of satellites for monitoring target objects that are in earth orbit, comprising:

• a plurality of satellites, each of the satellites including
• an imaging device that collects images;
• a receiver that receives a schedule for collecting images of target objects at a collection time and a collection orientation;
• a component that orients the imaging device and collects an image in accordance with the schedule;
• and
• a transmitter that transmits information relating to the collected image, the transmitted information including time of collection and location of the satellite at the time of collection.