Lockheed Martin to begin tracking potentially dangerous space debris

(The current number of space debris objects in orbit – Photo Credit: ESA)

Lockheed Martin, an aerospace and defence giant, has struck a deal with an Australian technology firm to track space debris that could pose a threat to orbiting satellites.

Lockheed Martin and Electro Optic Systems (EOS) have now signed a strategic co-operation agreement to build a new debris tracking station in Western Australia. The site will utilize a combination of advanced optical and laser technologies, like those found in telescopes, to detect, track and identify specific items of man-made space junk.

“Ground-based space situational awareness is a growing priority for government and commercial organisations around the world that need to protect their investments in space,” said Lockheed Martin Space Systems executive vice president Rick Ambrose.

“Through this agreement with Electro Optic Systems, we’ll offer customers a clearer picture of the objects that could endanger their satellites, and do so with great precision and cost-effectiveness” Ambrose added.

(A graphical representation of space debris in low Earth orbit – Photo Credit: NASA)

Drawing on existing sensors and software, the new tracking station will be able to focus on specific objects and determine how fast they’re moving, what direction they’re spinning, and what they’re made of.

There are currently nearly 2,000 commercial and government satellites orbiting Earth, however they face up to 200 threats a day from space debris that is known to be travelling at speeds of about 17,500 miles an hour.

Pieces of space debris can include paint flakes and dust expelled by rocket motors as well as old rocket stages and defunct satellites.

It is estimated that there are around 300,000 pieces of space junk in low-Earth orbit, therefore it is no surprise that on average one satellite is destroyed each year.

“We consider the strategic partnership with Lockheed Martin a major step towards the achievement of critical mass of sensors, data and services, all of which are critical in providing detailed yet easily usable information on space debris” announced Electro Optic Systems Chief Executive Officer Ben Greene.