V. Suthakar — Earth & Space Science, York University

Tracking what we leave behind in Earth orbit.

I'm Vithurshan Suthakar, a PhD candidate in Earth and Space Science building optical detection and image-processing pipelines for Space Situational Awareness — from ground telescopes to stratospheric balloon payloads and on-orbit star trackers.

Space Computer Vision Unsolved Space Object Detection Star-Trackers Stratospheric Payloads Orbital Dynamics
RSO-2847 LEO · 492 km DEB-1193 FOV 1.4° 3 TRACKS
Position
PhD Candidate
Institution
Lassonde · York University
Supervisor
Dr. Regina Lee
Location
Toronto, Canada

Imaging and tracking objects in Earth orbit, from telescopes on the ground to payloads in the stratosphere.

I'm a PhD candidate in Earth and Space Science at York University, supervised by Dr. Regina Lee. My work sits between optical instrumentation and image processing, applied to Resident Space Object (RSO) detection, tracking, and characterization — built from ground-based telescopes, stratospheric balloon payloads, and on-orbit star-tracker imagery.

My doctoral research extends my MSc thesis, Image Processing for Stratospheric-Based Space Situational Awareness, toward space-based and high-altitude platforms for tracking debris and active satellites in increasingly congested orbital regimes. I've contributed to the RSONAR stratospheric balloon program and the SSA Stratospheric mission, selected through ESA's REXUS/BEXUS programme — from payload design and sensor integration through to the detection algorithms that process the resulting imagery.

Alongside research, I work as a teaching assistant across astronomy, planetary science, optics, and geophysics courses, and take part regularly in public space-science outreach.

Portrait of Vithurshan Suthakar
Toronto, Ontario

Detection & tracking

Streak analysis, multi-frame stacking, and detection of tiny or unresolved objects in wide-field and star-tracker imagery.

Stratospheric payloads

Optical and infrared sensor payloads for balloon-based observation campaigns flown above 25 km altitude.

Orbital modelling & catalogues

Coordinate transformations (ECI/ECEF), TLE propagation, and covariance-aware catalogue association.

The orbital environment today

Source: Space-Track.org  ·  updated 2026-06-13
Latest Space-Track advisory

U.S. Space Forces – Space (S4S) has confirmed the breakup of a Chinese Zhuque-2E rocket body launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China, on 9 June 2026, likely at 0847 UTC. Tracked pieces are being incorporated into routine conjunction assessment to support spaceflight safety; there are currently no threats to human spaceflight and analysis is ongoing.

12,100
Active payloads
16,700
Analyst objects
22,000
Tracked debris
50,800
Objects tracked in orbit

Approximate counts from the U.S. Space Force public catalogue — the population my detection and tracking research aims to help monitor.

II

SSA, live in your browser

Three small, working demonstrations of what Space Situational Awareness actually involves — real catalogue objects, real orbital mechanics, and the detection problem my research tackles. Everything below runs locally in your browser; nothing is pre-rendered.

Live ground tracks

These are real objects from the public catalogue, propagated with SGP4 from TLEs refreshed daily — the same propagation model behind my coordinate-transformation and catalogue-association work. Click or tap an object for its current state; the dashed line is its ground track for the surrounding ±50 minutes.

Loading orbital elements…

TLE source: CelesTrak, refreshed daily by GitHub Action · propagation: satellite.js (SGP4), in-browser.

The needle in the star field

Acquiring frame…

01 — AcquireA wide-field sensor stares at the sky. Stars are point sources; anything in orbit moves during the exposure and smears into a faint streak — often just a few counts above the noise floor.

02 — DetectMy pipelines separate that streak from thousands of stars, hot pixels, and sensor noise — using matched filtering, multi-frame stacking, and learned detectors.

03 — AssociateThe streak's endpoints and timing become an observation, matched against the catalogue to identify the object — or flag one nobody is tracking yet.

This is a simplified simulation of the imagery my detection algorithms process from telescopes, balloon payloads, and star trackers.

Six decades of congestion

How the tracked population grew from a single sphere in 1957 to the objects on today's scoreboard. The chart replays six decades as it scrolls into view — or press Replay history. Drag anywhere across it to read the population in any year, and tap the markers: most of the sudden jumps were single events.

50,8002026
Drag across the chart to travel through time

Counts are approximate, assembled from public USSPACECOM/Space-Track catalogue history; the 2026 figure matches the live scoreboard above (analyst objects included from 2020, when the Space Fence radar came online).

III

Experience

Software Engineer — C++ & Python

May 2022 — present
York University, RSONAR Stratospheric Balloon Missions
  • Designed and tested payload systems for high-altitude SSA missions, focused on sensor integration and autonomous operation.
  • Built image processing pipelines analyzing 300,000+ space-based images for RSO detection and characterization.
  • Performed sensor interfacing, hardware integration, and environmental (thermal/vacuum) testing.
  • Implemented orbital modelling and coordinate transformations (ECI, ECEF, quaternions) for RSOs and observer reference frames.
  • Ran flight simulations and optimized system parameters for imaging performance and reliability.
Python — C++ — OpenCV — CUDA

Science Lead — SOBER Mission (ESA BEXUS 37)

Oct 2024 — May 2025
Proposed via REXUS/BEXUS Workshop, ESA
  • Proposed the SOBER mission based on my master's SSA research, selected at ESA's REXUS/BEXUS Workshop.
  • Designed a stratospheric payload using optical and infrared sensors for RSO brightness characterization above 25 km altitude.
  • Led STK-based performance simulations and sensor trade studies — tracking duration, SNR, spatial resolution.
  • Presented mission outcomes at the 9th European Conference on Space Debris, including data fusion with ESA DISCOS, GCAT, and public SSA catalogues.
Python — STK

Flight Software Developer

Feb 2025 — May 2025
Magellan Aerospace
  • Performed pre-mission design analysis in AGI STK to assess orbital access and coverage for a SAR satellite constellation.
  • Developed firmware for multi-sensor payloads using NASA Core Flight Software (cFS) for a Canadian SSA mission.
  • Integrated real-time sensor data streams and ran unit/integration testing in an ISO 8 cleanroom.
  • Applied uncertainty quantification for task scheduling and performance modelling in autonomous systems.
C — Bash — Git — Docker

Microfabrication Facility Assistant

May 2022 — Mar 2023
York University Microfabrication Facility (YMF)
  • Operated and maintained microfabrication tools (PECVD, MOCVD, PVD, plasma etch, e-beam evaporator, sputtering) with zero downtime.
  • Produced and inspected 100+ photomasks using laser plotting and optical microscopy for graduate research components.
  • Maintained lab safety and process reliability; trained and onboarded new researchers.
Java — JavaScript

Electrical Team Member — ESSENCE CubeSat

Oct 2021 — May 2022
Electrical Educational Space Science and Engineering CubeSat Experiment
  • Created schematics and layouts for a multi-layer PCB with SDRAM and FRAM chips.
  • Verified PCB RAM board pinouts and integrated with microcontrollers.
  • Researched and selected components to meet mission requirements.
IV

Publications & conferences

Journal articles, conference papers, and works in review or preparation, spanning RSO detection algorithms, star-tracker benchmarking, and stratospheric SSA demonstration missions. A complete list is also kept on Google Scholar.

  • 1.

    RSONAR: Data-Driven Evaluation of Dual-Use Star Tracker for Stratospheric Space Situational Awareness (SSA)

    Suthakar, V., Porto, I., Myhre, M., Sanvido, A.A., Clark, R., Lee, R.S.K.

    Sensors, vol. 26, p. 179, 2026

    Published
  • 2.

    Light-Curve Classification of Resident Space Objects for Space Situational Awareness: A Scoping Review

    Hwang, M., Suthakar, V., Qashoa, R., Lee, R.S.K., Sohn, G.

    Aerospace, vol. 13, no. 3, p. 287, 2026

    Published
  • 3.

    Resident Space Object (RSO) Tracking in Space-Based, Low Resolution, Non-Constant-Attitude Imagery

    Kunalakantha, P., Suthakar, V., Harrison, P., Driedger, M., Qashoa, R., Chianelli, G., Lee, R.S.K.

    Remote Sensing, vol. 18, no. 5, p. 755, 2026

    Published
  • 4.

    OrbitTrack: Advanced RSO Detection and Tracking from Wide Field-of-View On-Orbit Images

    Jeong, Y., Suthakar, V., Qashoa, R., Sohn, G., Lee, R.S.K.

    Advances in Space Research, 2025

    Published
  • 5.

    Technology Demonstration of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Mission on Stratospheric Balloon Platform

    Qashoa, R., Suthakar, V., Chianelli, G., Kunalakantha, P., Lee, R.S.K.

    Remote Sensing, vol. 16, no. 5, p. 749, 2024

    Published
  • 6.

    Comparative Analysis of Resident Space Object (RSO) Detection Methods

    Suthakar, V., Sanvido, A.A., Qashoa, R., Lee, R.S.K.

    Sensors, vol. 23, no. 24, p. 9668, 2023

    Published
  • 7.

    DUST: An On-Orbit Star-Tracker Benchmark for RSO Detection and Attitude Estimation

    Suthakar, V., Kunalakantha, P., Lee, R.S.K., Sohn, G.

    Scientific Data (Nature)

    Under review
  • 8.

    Space Situational Awareness in Very Low Earth Orbit for Re-entry Object Monitoring

    Huang, R., Lee, R.S.K., Veltri, M., Suthakar, V., Porras-Hermoso, A.

    Aerospace

    Under review
  • 9.

    Resident Space Object Streak Analysis in Wide-Field Imaging Dataset: Stacking, Characterization, and Comparative Evaluation

    Suthakar, V., Lee, R.S.K.

    Advances in Space Research

    In preparation
  • 10.

    Benchmark Starfield Dataset and Automated Data Labelling for Unresolved Resident Space Object (RSO) Tracking Algorithm Development

    Kunalakantha, P., Suthakar, V., Lee, R.S.K.

    Sensors

    In preparation
  • 11.

    E-STAR: Design and Stratospheric Demonstration of an Event-Based Star-Field and Resident Space Object Imaging Payload

    Suthakar, V., Lee, R.S.K.

    Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance (AMOS) Technologies Conference — accepted

    Conference
  • 12.

    Orbit Association of Resident Space Objects in ESA Swarm Star-Tracker Imagery: Covariance-Aware Catalogue Matching and Cross-Satellite Validation in Near-Polar Orbits

    Suthakar, V., Basi, K., Lee, R.S.K.

    77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Antalya, Türkiye — accepted

    Conference
  • 13.

    Spectral Enhancement and Multi-Frame Super-Resolution for Tiny Resident Space Object Detection in Star Tracker Imagery

    Suthakar, V., Lee, R.S.K., Sohn, G.

    45th COSPAR Scientific Assembly — accepted

    Conference
  • 14.

    Shallow Neural Network Centroid Algorithm Comparison for a Dual-Use Star Tracker Payload for Space Situational Awareness

    Myhre, M., Porto, I., Suthakar, V., Lee, R.S.K.

    45th COSPAR Scientific Assembly — accepted

    Conference
  • 15.

    Centroid Algorithm Comparison in a Dual-Use Star Tracker for Space Situational Awareness

    Myhre, M., Porto, I., Suthakar, V., Lee, R.S.K.

    5th IAA Conf. Space Situational Awareness (ICSSA), Tres Cantos–Madrid, 2026 (IAA ICSSA-26-00-49)

    Conference
  • 16.

    Thermo-Optical Characterization and Qualification of a Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Payload

    Porto, I., Myhre, M., Suthakar, V., Lee, R.S.K.

    5th IAA Conf. Space Situational Awareness (ICSSA), Tres Cantos–Madrid, 2026 (IAA-ICSSA-26-00-60)

    Conference
  • 17.

    Near-Space Technology Demonstration for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Space Situational Awareness

    Alli, R., Suthakar, V., Dobrzanki, D., Lee, R.S.K.

    Canadian CubeSat Conference 2026

    Conference
  • 18.

    AI-Driven Detection of Resident Space Objects (RSOs) Using Monochromatic Wide-Field Imaging for Space Situational Awareness

    Suthakar, V., Lee, R.S.K.

    Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX), 2025

    Conference
  • 19.

    ORBIT: Open-Source Research for Better Identification and Tracking of Space Objects

    Suthakar, V., Sanvido, A.A., Vellani, M., Brown, E., Lee, R.S.K.

    SpaceOps 2025

    Conference
  • 20.

    Stratospheric Observation of Resident Space Objects Using Photometric and Infrared Sensors

    Suthakar, V., Porto, I., Dasanayaka, S.K.M., Lee, R.S.K., et al.

    9th European Conference on Space Debris, 2025

    Conference
  • 21.

    Stratospheric Balloon-Based Observation of Resident Space Objects for Enhanced Space Situational Awareness

    Suthakar, V., Sanvido, A.A., Lee, R.S.K.

    CASI ASTRO, 2024

    Conference
  • 22.

    Lessons Learned From Technology Demonstration of Space Situational Awareness Satellite

    Qashoa, R., Kunalakantha, P., Chianelli, G., Suthakar, V., Lee, R.S.K.

    Small Satellite Conference, 2024

    Conference
  • 23.

    Using Optical Sensors for SSA Detection Analysis on the 3000 Starlink Series

    Suthakar, V., Lee, R.S.K.

    CREATE Annual Conference, 2024

    Conference
V

Teaching

Graduate teaching assistant across astronomy, planetary science, geophysics, and applied physics courses, plus lab development and capstone supervision.

ENG 4000
2024 — present

Engineering Capstone Project Advisor

Advised a telescope-based Differential Image Motion Monitor (DIMM) capstone for satellite-to-ground optical communications. The team placed top three at Lassonde Capstone Day and presented at the Canadian Space Agency.

ESSE 2030

Geophysics and Space Science

Developed a new hands-on FMCW radar-characterization lab using the QM-RDK demonstration kit — manual, safety procedures, data tables, and assessments.

NATS 1745

Astronomy / History of Astronomy

Supported learning across naked-eye astronomy, solar system objects, stars, galaxies, telescopes, and the development of astronomical methods.

NATS 1570

Exploring the Solar System

Facilitated learning on planetary science, solar system formation, missions, and the observational evidence used to understand planets, moons, and small bodies.

NATS 1880

Life Beyond Earth

Led tutorials and assessments focused on astrobiology, planetary habitability, and critical thinking in scientific literacy.

PHYS 1801 / 2211 / 1422

Electromagnetism & optics labs

Led tutorials and labs across engineering, life-science, and second-year experimental EM courses — circuit prototyping, oscilloscopes, function generators, applied problem-solving.

NATS 1750 / ESSE 1012

Earth & atmosphere

Lab instruction and grading on geology, Earth systems, climate, minerals, plate tectonics, geologic time, and planetary exploration.

NATS 1795 / ENG 3000

The Nature of Time & professional practice

Supported discussions spanning timekeeping to relativity, and led sessions on ethics, law, and professional standards in engineering.

VI

Outreach

2,000+
Attendees engaged

Space Situational Awareness and Us — Ontario Science Centre, 2023

Designed and presented SSA outreach sessions for over 2,000 attendees, engaging children and parents through interactive education. Led an audience-driven payload initiative collecting and engraving messages for a near-space launch as part of the "Satellites & You" program.

A dense grid of handwritten notes, drawings, and signatures submitted by Ontario Science Centre visitors for a near-space payload
Messages collected from visitors during "Satellites & You" at the Ontario Science Centre — written for engraving onto a near-space payload as part of one of Professor Lee's nanosatellite missions.
Leading a feedback session with attendees after the theatre-level Satellites and You presentation
Leading the post-presentation feedback session at the Ontario Science Centre, 2023.
Audience members holding satellite models on stage during the Satellites and Us presentation, with an orbit visualization projected behind
"Satellites & Us" presentation, Ontario Science Centre — engaging the audience with satellite models and orbit visualizations.
Presenting the NIMBUS-3 stratospheric balloon payload and debris-tracking experiment to summer campers at the Canadian Space Agency base in Timmins
Explaining the NIMBUS-3 debris-tracking payload to Science Timmins summer campers at the CSA base, Timmins.
Installing an interactive constellation mural with embedded circuit boards for the McIntosh Gallery exhibit at Western University
Installing the interactive constellation mural for "The Life Cycle of Celestial Objects," McIntosh Gallery, Western University.
Returning to the Ontario Science Centre to display the flown payload alongside the engraved message plate for visiting children
Revisiting the Ontario Science Centre to display the flown payload and engraved message plate.
01/26
Guest seminar

Space Situational Awareness & Sustainability

Invited guest seminar for Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) Canada.

'23
Gallery exhibit

The Life Cycle of Celestial Objects, Pts. 1 & 2

McIntosh Gallery Exhibit, Western University. Coordinated collaborations between York's Nanosatellite Research Laboratory and artists, developed interactive exhibits including the "Circuit Board Graveyard," and facilitated public workshops and panels on art, science, and space exploration.

'22–
Ongoing

Science Explorations Summer Camp & high schools

Delivered talks on astronomy and space engineering to students of varying ages and skill levels, alongside the 2024 Development of a CubeSat for Stratospheric Ballooning entry at the York Region Science & Technology Fair.

Press

VII

Awards & funding

Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) & Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII)

Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities
2026

International Conference on Space Operations (SpaceOps) 2025 award

Canadian Space Agency
05/2025

CUPE Masters Bursary Fund

Awarded twice
07/2023, 04/2025

NSERC CREATE — Microsystems Technologies & Application (MTA)

Design, fabrication, and testing of an integrated microsystem
09/2023

NSERC CREATE — Microsystems Technologies & Application (MTA)

Optimal photolithography mask production parameters, RP325+LXT / Hope–Carnfeldt EG 750
09/2022

Research at York

Applied laboratory work at the York Microfabrication Facility
05/2022

Mitacs Accelerate Internship

SPACEDUST project, with Magellan Aerospace and C-CORE — awarded twice
03/2022
VIII

Contact

Open to collaboration on SSA-related research, observation campaigns, and student supervision opportunities.

Email
Vithurs@my.yorku.ca
Scholar
scholar.google.ca/citations?user=628lIjAAAAAJ
LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/vithurshansuthakar
GitHub
github.com/VithurshanSuthakar