SPIDAR
The SPIDAR project addresses the growing threat of space debris by developing a low-cost, easily deployable system for in-situ detection of small space debris (SSD) using photonic integrated circuit (PIC)-based lidar technology. SSD, particularly smaller than 10 cm, is challenging to detect with traditional methods such as ground-based radar but still poses significant risks to operational satellites. SPIDAR will leverage the advantages of photonic integration to create an efficient, compact CubeSat-compatible lidar capable of detecting debris as small as 1 mm in a virtual detection area of 1 m². This project involves development of a novel gallium arsenide (GaAs) based PIC platform operating at a wavelength near 1 µm.
Project Objectives
Objective 1
Design and fabrication of a GaAs-based PIC platform.
Objective 2
Fabrication and experimental validation of FMCW Lidar PIC in laboratory setting.
Objective 3
Development and laboratory validation of satellite payload demonstrator.
Figure 1: SPIDAR concept diagram
Figure 2: Overview of technical process
