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On-Orbit Screening

Satellite operators can screen their latest ephemerides against Satcat's catalogs of tracked resident space objects, identifying potential conjunctions and supporting routine spaceflight safety operations.

Each screening job identifies close approaches, calculates their risk metrics, and details their geometry. What Satcat screens depends on each upload's designation and context. See Operational Data for how uploads are used, and Ephemeris Metadata for the values.

note

Screening requires an active Satcat Operations Pro or Enterprise tier subscription.

Screening Jobs Dashboard​

The screening jobs dashboard displays completed and in-progress screening jobs, alongside the catalog metadata and coverage window of the data behind them. The list can be searched and filtered.

Each job shows:

  • job name and creator
  • highest-risk conjunction detected
  • total number of conjunctions found
  • count of primary and secondary RSOs screened

Screening jobs created by other users in the organization can also be shown.

Creating a Screening Job​

To create a new screening job, select New screening job from the dashboard.

  1. Define RSOs

    • Primaries: add by searching the catalog, using uploaded ephemeris, or both
    • Secondaries: add individual RSOs, or select whole catalogs such as 18 SDS or the operational catalog

  2. Configure Screening

    • set job title and optional notes
    • use Advanced options to adjust screening volume

  3. Review and Submit

    • ensure both primary and secondary RSOs are listed
    • submit with Start screening job

Multiple TLEs can be added at once, in two-line or three-line format. For the accepted ephemeris formats and which of them carry covariance, see File Formats.

Pc is calculated only where the uploaded ephemeris carries covariance and the RSO has a hard body radius. TLEs are not suitable for operational decision making.

Reviewing Results​

A completed job carries Conjunctions, Job details, and Ephemerides: the conjunctions found, sorted by TCA and listed in a sortable table; the job's inputs and service logs; and the ephemeris screened.

Each conjunction has a conjunction event page carrying its THEORETICAL CDM analysis.

Automating Screening Jobs​

Screening jobs can be created from the Satcat SDK, so conjunction assessment stays on current operational ephemeris without a manual run. Code examples are in the SDK screening documentation.

A screening job can also run on a schedule. Scheduled screening is arranged with Kayhan rather than configured in the product; contact support@kayhan.space to set one up. Scheduled runs are marked Scheduled Screening in the dashboard and carry a Schedule ID under Job details. They are listed without a creator, since each run comes from the schedule rather than from a person.