On September 16, 2024, the European Space Agency (ESA) awarded Neuraspace, a European-born global leader in space traffic management (STM), with a contract to offer and integrate its space traffic management solutions for several of ESA’s diverse missions.
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The collaboration
ESA’s Space Debris Office, which is responsible for the monitoring of space debris that represents a menace for operational satellites or space missions, will use the Neuraspace service every day to improve STM technologies involving a set of ESA missions operated by the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC).
These particular missions represent a perfect terrain for developing efficient Space Traffic Management technologies as they provide diverse satellites with different operational conditions.
The collaboration is full of opportunities for both entities. ESA secures a continuous evolution, improvement, and innovation of its STM competence while ensuring that it keeps up with potential adaptations to new external ‘rules of the road’ for STM. In return, Neuraspace gathers a great opportunity to expand its in-depth knowledge and incorporate improved functionality into its solution, and increase its scalability. As a result, globally improved services will be delivered to all of its customers.
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Statements of the two partners
Klaus Merz, Senior Collision Avoidance Analyst, said: “Working with Neuraspace reflects ESA’s strong commitment to foster commercialization and the development of a market, enhancing space sustainability, and innovating future orbital safety through NewSpace-technology.”
“ESOC is home to our Space Safety program, focusing on the perils in space that threaten critical components of our modern society. If not managed properly, resident space objects ultimately threaten the economically vital Earth orbits to become unusable. Using innovative STM solutions like these offered by Neuraspace allows us to reduce risks and contributes to protecting our space assets.”
Chiara Manfletti, CEO of Neuraspace, said: “The deployment of our STM solution across various missions is testimony to ESA’s confidence in Neuraspace’s capabilities. The collaboration will provide a significant opportunity for Neuraspace to embed learnings and refine and enhance our existing solution for both institutional and commercial needs. It will also allow us to benefit from ESA’s expertise and operational insights as a long-time and important space actor. The partnership between ESA and Neuraspace represents a significant step forward in the evolution of space traffic management and reinforces both organizations’ commitment to innovation and space sustainability.”
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A necessary commitment for the future
Space Traffic Management (STM) technologies are systems and protocols designed to monitor, coordinate, and regulate the increasing number of satellites, spacecraft, and debris in Earth’s orbit.
These technologies have evolved significantly in recent years, driven by the surge in commercial satellite launches, space exploration missions, and growing concerns over space debris. Traditional methods, like ground-based radar and optical tracking, are being supplemented with advanced AI-driven algorithms, predictive modeling, and real-time data sharing among global space agencies and private companies.
The next few years will likely see even greater integration of autonomous spacecraft collision avoidance systems, on-orbit servicing, and debris removal technologies, alongside more robust international frameworks for space traffic coordination.
Established in 2020, Neuraspace is a European-born company that provides solutions and services to make space safe, secure, and sustainable. They offer real-time automated space traffic management, routine space mission support software, and resilient mission design, focussed on sustainability. They leverage new-age technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to process data, automate processes, and offer valuable insights.
Neuraspace’s SaaS platform facilitates coordination among satellite operators, while their data as a service product offers comprehensive space situational awareness.
