A new constellation of commercial satellites is set to monitor Earth’s orbit and prevent spacecraft collisions. The first four Space Situational Awareness (SSA) satellites, equipped with advanced optical devices and star trackers, are being launched by Canadian startup NorthStar on Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket. These satellites, designed and operated by Spire Global, will continuously monitor space objects in low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), and geostationary orbit (GEO). They will deliver precise information for space object detection, tracking, orbit determination, collision avoidance, navigation, and proximity alert.According to Frank Frulio, Spire’s General Manager and Global Head of Space Services, most satellites lack the capability to monitor space. The new commercial satellites are crucial for monitoring the growing number of space objects and ensuring space sustainability and safety. Currently, the U.S. Space Surveillance Network and military departments have advanced systems to detect and track objects in Earth orbit, but the information is not widely shared. As the space industry expands, NorthStar’s satellites aim to provide maneuver detection, conjunction warning, and anomaly detection for spacecraft, filling in the gaps left by ground-based monitoring systems. The company plans to launch a total of 12 satellites by 2026, with the complete constellation consisting of 24 NorthStar satellites, covering up to 100% of the near-Earth orbital sky when combined with other sensors. NorthStar’s CEO and Founder, Stewart Bain, emphasized the need for an effective space traffic monitoring system to address the growing challenges of space congestion and security.The potential of the space economy relies heavily on conflict avoidance and the protection of commercial and government-owned assets in space. Professor John Logsdon, an expert in political science and international affairs, suggests the creation of a comprehensive, transparent, and accessible space traffic monitoring system. As more companies launch satellites into orbit, the need for such a system becomes increasingly critical for ensuring the safe co-existence of objects in low Earth orbit. For more spaceflight news, follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and bookmark Gizmodo’s dedicated Spaceflight page.
