27th August 2014

Lockheed Martin agrees deal to track space debris

US defence giant Lockheed Martin has formed a partnership with Australian tech firm Electro Optic Systems to monitor the growing problem of space debris.

Lockheed Martin announced yesterday that it will join forces with Electro Optic Systems (EOS) to provide space tracking services to the space industry. This joint development will see the establishment of a new facility in Western Australia – operational by early 2016 – to offer a more detailed picture of space debris for both government and commercial customers.

The site will use a combination of lasers and highly sensitive optical systems to detect, track and characterise an estimated 200,000 man-made objects. These advanced electro-optical technologies will zoom in on specific objects to determine how fast they’re moving, what direction they’re spinning and what they’re made of.

“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 Rick Ambrose, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Space Systems. “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.”

“The partnership with Lockheed Martin will help both organisations establish a global network of space sensors, while simultaneously increasing the market reach of the partners’ data and services,” said Electro Optic Systems Chief Executive Officer Ben Greene. “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.”

Space junk has been accumulating in Earth orbit for over 50 years. It is made up of everything from spent rocket stages, to defunct satellites, to debris left over from accidental collisions. The amount of space junk is expected to triple by 2030. Experts have expressed concerns about a potential scenario known as Kessler Syndrome – in which a catastrophic chain reaction occurs, making space exploration and satellite communications impossible. This was depicted in the recent sci-fi movie Gravity.

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