Space moving target detection and tracking method in complex background

•The proposed enhancing algorithm GSD can obtains high SCR gain (≥50).•The proposed processing model is better than other state-of-the-art algorithms in terms of SCR gain and background suppression factor (BSF).•The method outperforms other algorithms in both image sequences with real targets and simulated targets.•The algorithm proposed can solve the space-based weak moving target detection problem when SCR ≈ 1 or even SCR < 1.