LeoLabs partners with NOAA's OSC to develop advanced space traffic coordination system

LeoLabs partners with NOAA's OSC to develop advanced space traffic coordination system
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 22, 2024

In a significant development for space safety, LeoLabs has announced its partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Office of Space Commerce (OSC). This collaboration is marked by a Consolidated Pathfinder order from the OSC for LeoLabs to contribute to the development of the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS), a national, civil-led initiative.

This partnership leverages LeoLabs' extensive capabilities in space situational awareness, including their expansive dataset of over 20,000 objects in LEO and their proficiency in handling millions of daily conjunction data messages.

These assets are critical in an era where space traffic is intensifying rapidly. According to Dan Ceperley, CEO of LeoLabs, "The number of satellites in LEO grew by approximately 45% in 2023 and is expected to grow by an additional approximately 35% in 2024. This, coupled with the growth of space debris, means more coordination is needed to prevent collisions."

Ceperley emphasized the importance of space traffic management, drawing a parallel with air traffic control in its necessity for maintaining safety. He expressed pride in LeoLabs' role as a foundational element in the US Traffic Coordination System for Space, which he describes as "the world's most advanced system enabling enhanced space safety and sustainability."

The Consolidated Pathfinder order by OSC marks the first in a series of pathfinder projects aimed at bolstering the development of TraCSS. This move signals the rapid strides taken by the US Government in fulfilling Space Policy Directive-3 (SPD-3). SPD-3, a directive focusing on national space traffic management (STM), mandates the development of a national STM service managed by a civil government agency. The directive aligns with the United States' commitment to leading space safety initiatives and supporting the space industry through the integration of commercial solutions.

LeoLabs' engagement in this project underlines the growing recognition of the private sector's role in advancing space safety and traffic management. The integration of their comprehensive catalog and advanced artificial intelligence techniques with government initiatives represents a novel approach to addressing the challenges of an increasingly congested space environment.