Skip to content

SSA Documentation Index

Generated: April 6, 2026 Status: Planning complete, ready for implementation

Planning Documents Created

1. SSA Session Summary.md

Location: Science/Projects/SSA Session Summary.md

Purpose: Complete record of planning session

Contents: - Key decisions made (cost strategy, architecture) - Three-stage architecture (Detection→ Refinement → Characterization) - Hardware cost breakdowns - Software architecture - Key algorithms (track-and-stack, admissible region, triangulation) - Complete data flow - Implementation roadmap (Phases 1-5) - Performance targets - Testing checklist - Risk register - Open questions

When to use: Overview of entire system, decision rationale

2. SSA Low Cost Architecture.md

Location: Science/Projects/SSA Low Cost Architecture.md

Purpose: Detailed architecture and cost analysis

Contents: - Cost reduction strategy (compute for aperture) - Software-heavy substitutions for hardware - Hardware tiers (Tier 0, 1, 2) - Detailed bill of materials - Network topology (minimum → operational → production) - CubeSat future deployment - Cost comparison summary - Key metrics table

When to use: Understanding cost decisions, hardware procurement

3. SSA Implementation Roadmap.md

Location: Science/Projects/SSA Implementation Roadmap.md

Purpose: Step-by-step implementation plan

Contents: - Phase 0: Foundation (Weeks 1-4) - Hardware procurement - Software setup - Validation testing - Phase 1: Detection Network (Weeks 5-12) - Phase 2: Refinement Layer (Weeks 13-20) - Phase 3: Characterization (Weeks 21-28) - Phase 4: CubeSat Future (Years 2-3) - Detailed code examples for each component - Integration tests - Deployment checklist - Success metrics

When to use: During implementation, phase planning

4. SSA Bulk Coding Handoff.md

Location: Science/Projects/SSA Bulk Coding Handoff.md

Purpose: Complete specifications for implementing code

Contents: - Complete project structure - File-by-file specifications - Function signatures with docstrings - Input/output specifications - Testing requirements - Performance requirements - Acceptance criteria - Deployment configuration (YAML)

When to use: Handoff to implementing model, writing code

5. SSA Quick Reference.md

Location: Science/Projects/SSA Quick Reference.md

Purpose: Cheat sheet for quick lookup

Contents: - Hardware costs summary table - Performance targets - Key algorithms (one-liners) - File structure - Detection limits - Timing requirements - Material classification colors - Orbit elements - Network topology - Software dependencies - API endpoints - Success metrics - Common issues and solutions - Testing targets - Useful formulas

When to use: Quick lookup during implementation

Reference Documents (Existing)

6. SSA.md

Location: Science/Projects/SSA.md

Purpose: Technical deep dive into SSA science

Contents: - Aerospace theory (radar, optical, distributed arrays) - Conjunction assessment mathematical framework - Admissible region method details - Photometry and light curve analysis - Tumble detection - BRDF (Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function) - Hardware specifications - Tracking algorithms - Existing SSA networks

When to use: Understanding underlying science

7. Security cameras SSA.md

Location: Science/Projects/Security cameras SSA.md

Purpose: Ultra-cheap hardware specifications

Contents: - Sony STARVIS sensor specifications (IMX291/IMX307/IMX462) - Read noise, QE, frame rates - Rolling shutter correction - Global Meteor Network architecture - Project Luciole fly's eye design - RSONAR stratospheric deployment - CMOS vs CCD comparison - Event-based sensors

When to use: Hardware selection, understanding sensor capabilities

Document Relationships

SSA Session Summary (Overview)
├── References → SSA Low Cost Architecture
│               └── Hardware costs, philosophy
├── References → SSA Implementation Roadmap
│               └── Phase-by-phase plan
├── References → SSA Bulk Coding Handoff
│               └── Code specifications
└── References → SSA Quick Reference
                └── Cheat sheet

All documents reference:
├── SSA.md (Science)
└── Security cameras SSA.md (Hardware)

Implementation Order

For Planning

  1. Read SSA Session Summary - Understand big picture
  2. Read SSA Low Cost Architecture - Understand costs
  3. Read SSA Implementation Roadmap - Understand phases

For Coding

  1. Read SSA Bulk Coding Handoff - Get specifications
  2. Reference SSA Quick Reference - While coding
  3. Implement modules in order:
  4. /edge/streak_detector.py
  5. /edge/plate_solver.py
  6. /edge/timing_sync.py
  7. /edge/uploader.py
  8. /edge/main.py
  9. /central/models.py
  10. /central/catalog.py
  11. /central/track_associator.py
  12. /central/triangulator.py
  13. /central/orbit_solver.py
  14. /central/api.py
  15. /characterization/lightcurve.py
  16. /characterization/material_classifier.py

For Science

  1. Read SSA.md - Deep technical understanding
  2. Read Security cameras SSA.md - Hardware specs

Key Numbers Summary

Metric Value
Detection node cost $130-155
Tracking station cost $330-950
Production network 50 detection + 5 tracking
Total cost ~$9,200
Traditional cost $330,000+
Cost ratio 25-35× cheaper
Detection limit Mag 10-11
Astrometric precision 5-30 arcsec
Timing precision <50 ms
Triangulation minimum 3 sites
Particle count 10,000-100,000

Next Steps

Immediate (This Week)

  • [ ] Review documentation
  • [ ] Decide deployment locations
  • [ ] Set up git repository
  • [ ] Create GitHub issues

Phase 1 (Weeks 1-4)

  • [ ] Order hardware (IMX307 + RPi)
  • [ ] Implement edge detection
  • [ ] Implement catalog manager
  • [ ] Test with ISS

Phase 2 (Weeks 5-12)

  • [ ] Deploy detection nodes
  • [ ] Implement triangulation
  • [ ] Implement orbit determination
  • [ ] Test multi-site coordination

Production (Months 7+)

  • [ ] Scale network
  • [ ] Automate operations
  • [ ] CubeSat design

Questions to Resolve

  1. Deployment: Where will first 3 detection nodes be located?
  2. Git: Set up repository and create issues
  3. VPS: Which cloud provider for central server?
  4. Partnerships: Which amateur networks for Stage 3?
  5. Budget: Source of Phase 1 funding ($2,000)?

Contact Points

  • Hardware procurement: IMX307 suppliers, RPi distributors
  • Software implementation: Handoff to coding model
  • Science questions: Reference SSA.md
  • Deployment: Locations, power, internet
  • Funding: Budget planning

File Checksums

Document Size Last Updated
SSA Session Summary ~15,000 words April 6, 2026
SSA Low Cost Architecture ~8,000 words April 6, 2026
SSA Implementation Roadmap ~12,000 words April 6, 2026
SSA Bulk Coding Handoff ~10,000 words April 6, 2026
SSA Quick Reference ~3,500 words April 6, 2026

How to Use This Documentation

Decision Maker

Read: SSA Session Summary → SSA Low Cost Architecture Focus: Costs, capabilities, timeline

Project Manager

Read: SSA Implementation Roadmap Focus: Phases, milestones, resources

Software Developer

Read: SSA Bulk Coding Handoff Reference: SSA Quick Reference Focus: Specifications, testing

Hardware Engineer

Read: Security cameras SSA.md Reference: SSA Low Cost Architecture Focus: Sensors, costs, specs

Scientist

Read: SSA.md Focus: Algorithms, physics

Version History

  • v1.0 - April 6, 2026 - Initial planning session complete