LeoLabs, renowned for maintaining the most extensive catalog of objects in low Earth orbit, has announced the reception of a Consolidated Pathfinder order from NOAA’s Office of Space Commerce (OSC).
This pivotal order is set to propel the development of the civil-led national Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS).
This strategic collaboration signifies a landmark moment as OSC gains access to LeoLabs’ unparalleled in-house expertise, cutting-edge artificial intelligence techniques, and the largest commercial dataset, featuring over 20,000 objects and delivering millions of daily conjunction data messages.
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Just like air traffic
Against the backdrop of this collaboration, LeoLabs’ Chief Executive Officer, Dan Ceperley, emphasized the critical nature of space traffic coordination.
“Just as air traffic management is critical for flight safety, space traffic coordination is critical for space safety,” he said.
Ceperley also highlighted the exponential growth of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), projected to increase by approximately 35% in 2024 following a 45% surge in 2023.
“This, coupled with the growth of space debris, means more coordination is needed to prevent collisions. LeoLabs is delighted to be a foundational layer of the US Traffic Coordination System for Space, the world’s most advanced system enabling enhanced space safety and sustainability.”
—Dan Ceperley, Chief Executive Officer, LeoLabs
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TraCSS and why is important
The Consolidated Pathfinder initiative by LeoLabs marks the inception of a series of pathfinder projects aimed at propelling TraCSS development. This order not only signifies the swift progress made by the US Government in creating a robust national Traffic Coordination System but also aligns with Space Policy Directive-3 (SPD-3).
SPD-3 mandates the establishment of a national Space Traffic Management (STM) service overseen by a civil government agency. The move aims to put the United States’ leadership at the top position in the space safety fields, while affirming its commitment to integrating commercial solutions for the benefit of the surging space industry.
Amidst its pivotal role in advancing the TraCSS, LeoLabs stands at the forefront of transforming how satellite operators, commercial enterprises, and federal agencies navigate the complexities of launching and tracking missions in low Earth orbit. Leveraging its cutting-edge technology system, Vertex™, LeoLabs provides critical information needed for success in today’s competitive space race.
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