Slingshot Aerospace secures $13M NOAA contract for Space Traffic Platform Interface

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Slingshot Aerospace secures $13M NOAA contract for Space Traffic Platform Interface
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 27, 2024

Slingshot Aerospace, a leader in AI-driven satellite tracking and space coordination technologies, has been awarded a $13.3 million contract by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Space Commerce (OSC). This contract focuses on developing the Presentation Layer for the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS), the U.S. government's next-generation space safety platform. The project includes a 12-month development phase valued at $5.3 million and four optional years.

The TraCSS Presentation Layer, envisioned as a user-friendly interface for global satellite operators, will enhance space traffic coordination and ensure satellite safety. Slingshot Aerospace will utilize its advanced space traffic coordination tool, Slingshot Beacon, to build this critical system.

With 86 nations operating over 10,000 satellites and projections of up to 100,000 satellites in orbit by 2030, space collision risks are increasing at an alarming rate. According to Slingshot Aerospace, close approaches, or "conjunctions," have surged by 17% year-over-year, emphasizing the need for robust space traffic management.

OSC's responsibility for traffic coordination, previously under the Department of Defense, was established by Space Policy Directive 3 (SPD-3) in 2018. TraCSS.gov is expected to go live in late 2025, providing a modern alternative to the existing space-track.org platform for commercial users.

"Slingshot's role in developing this space traffic coordination platform requires intentionality as well as close mission alignment with OSC," said Tim Solms, CEO of Slingshot Aerospace. "NOAA's TraCSS initiative offers the opportunity for enhanced space safety and sustainability, fostering growth across the commercial, civil, and academic space sectors for the foreseeable future."

The cloud-based TraCSS system will enable satellite operators to access critical data on upcoming conjunctions, often requiring coordinated maneuvers to prevent potential collisions. The Presentation Layer will provide real-time alerts and actionable information to operators.

"Deploying the TraCSS user interface is the next major step in operationalizing U.S. civil space traffic coordination, first codified in Space Policy Directive 3," said Audrey Schaffer, Vice President of Strategy and Policy at Slingshot Aerospace. "Slingshot is proud to partner with the Office of Space Commerce in delivering spaceflight safety services to the world."

Slingshot will collaborate with COMSPOC and T and T Consulting Services to integrate the interface with NOAA's existing TraCSS infrastructure. Earlier this year, the company also partnered with OSC on a pathfinder initiative to provide space situational awareness and satellite tracking data for low Earth orbit operations.