David Ehrhardt, in collaboration with Rogue Space Systems Corporation, is a part of a recently awarded Phase II Small Business Technology Transfer award through SpaceWERX and the U.S. Space Force on the development of a Contactless LAser Satellite Stethoscope to enable audio and harmonic diagnostics of Resident-Space-Objects while in space.

CLASS will use a scanning laser beam and the Doppler effect to measure vibrations of resident space objects and, using acoustical signatures, identify them—even detect anomalies.

Ehrhardt is a research professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and research institution lead on the Rogue project.

“For this project, I am responsible for design and execution of laboratory testing using off-the-shelf components to access sensitivity, range and limitations of laser Doppler vibrometry when applied to cube satellites under different environmental conditions,” he said. “I am also working with an LDV manufacturer to lower size, weight, and power requirements so we can send an LDV into space.”

This technology will enhance and complement other remote sensors in characterizing the operational state and life of spacecraft playing a key role in space traffic management, enhancement of situational awareness, and open new opportunities to monitor and service satellites.