A Comparative Analysis of Scheduling Algorithms for Distributed Observation Systems for Cislunar Traffic Management

In the rapidly advancing realm of space exploration, Space Domain Awareness (SDA) has become crucial, especially in the cislunar domain where human activities extend beyond Earth’s orbit. SDA involves tracking satellites, managing space debris, and mitigating collision risks, ensuring the operability of space missions. As space exploration intensifies, the space environment becomes more crowded and competitive, raising concerns about collisions and the potential for Kessler Syndrome, where collisions generate debris that leads to more collisions in a chain reaction. SDA is vital in monitoring and regulating space traffic, continuously tracking satellites and objects in orbit to avoid potential collisions. This enhances the safety and efficiency of space operations, allowing for precise orbital maneuvers and optimizing satellite positioning. SDA helps prevent the onset of Kessler Syndrome by providing real-time data on objects in space, enabling trajectory adjustments to avoid collisions and breaking the chain reaction of debris creation. SDA also plays a key role in space traffic management by providing data to coordinate spacecraft movements, reducing collision risks and ensuring responsible use of space resources. As the number of satellites and objects in space grows, effective space traffic management is essential to prevent accidents and optimize orbital space utilization. Furthermore, SDA identifies and monitors potential threats to space assets, crucial for safeguarding national and commercial interests in an increasingly contested space domain. Continuous surveillance of the space environment helps detect and assess risks posed by other satellites or objects in orbit. The expansion of human activities into cislunar space, including lunar orbits and Lagrange points, underscores the importance of Cislunar Space Domain Awareness (CSDA). Initiatives like the United Launch Alliance’s Cislunar 1000 aim to establish a sustainable space economy by leveraging lunar resources and strategic locations for economic activities. Effective space traffic management is essential for the safety and sustainability of cislunar operations, with CSDA providing the necessary information to track and coordinate spacecraft trajectories. We propose deploying a swarm of spacecraft for CSDA, offering comprehensive coverage of the cislunar environment. This swarm would enable real-time monitoring and surveillance of satellites, space debris, and potential threats. By sharing data and coordinating tasks, the swarm enhances the efficiency and responsiveness of CSDA operations, adapting swiftly to changing conditions and emerging challenges. The scalability of a spacecraft swarm ensures that CSDA remains effective as human activities in cislunar space expand. Implementing a swarm of spacecraft for CSDA requires meticulous coordination and communication to avoid collisions and ensure optimal coverage. Scheduling algorithms play a crucial role in optimizing the efficiency of distributed observation systems. These algorithms allocate resources, manage data acquisition, and minimize latency, balancing factors like energy efficiency and performance. A comparison of various scheduling algorithms, including Round Robin, Priority-based, Deadline-Based, Load Balancing, Energy-Aware, Adaptive, Machine Learning-Based, and Hybrid Scheduling, highlights their strengths and challenges. Choosing the right algorithm depends on the specific requirements and constraints of the distributed observation system, ensuring successful implementation and optimization.