Deep-Space Conjunction Assessment: Recent Developments and Future Evolution

Abstract

The Multi-mission Automated Deep-space Conjunction Assessment Process (MADCAP) is a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) capability used to perform conjunction assessment in shared deep-space environments. MADCAP began performing conjunction assessment at Mars and the Moon in 2011, with the Sun/Earth libration points added to its functionality in 2020. There has been an increasing number of missions operating in these environments in recent years, leading to an elevated frequency of close conjunction events, especially in the Lunar orbital environment. MADCAP provides this service not only to NASA missions, but to any operator who is willing to share ephemerides. Since there is no space surveillance network for deep space environments, ephemeris sharing is the only way in which spacecraft operators can ensure the safety of their spacecraft from collision in these orbit regimes. NASA published a set of conjunction assessment best practices in 2020 that cover the MADCAP process. This paper details recent MADCAP operational experience in the deep space environments, including statistics and process improvements. Updates to the MADCAP software and automation framework implemented to handle the recent growth in the number of deep space missions are also discussed. Future enhancements planned in anticipation of increasingly crowded deep-space environments, such as non-standard runs based on exploratory scenarios, are also discussed.