Space Debris & Traffic Management News

SpaceWatch Global

Northrop Grumman advances space-domain awareness prototype as Terma joins MDA Space’s AURORA satellite supply chain

Northrop Grumman is targeting delivery of a space-domain awareness prototype satellite within 24 months, with high-quality imaging and more frequent characterization of geosynchronous-orbit objects. Separately, Terma will provide MDA Space with power and radio-frequency checkout equipment and central checkout systems for AURORA satellite production and testing.

SpaceNews.com

Space Force seeks commercial satellites for on-demand orbital inspection and electronic-interference tracking

The U.S. Space Force is soliciting commercial satellites capable of locating and inspecting objects in orbit on short notice while expanding commercial tracking of GPS jamming and other electronic interference. New optical satellites from South Korea’s Satrec Initiative and persistent legacy spacecraft underscore the demand for orbital awareness.

SpaceNews.com

High activity

U.S. Space Command says orbital tracking must connect faster to combat systems

U.S. Space Command has expanded its ability to track objects in orbit, but its commander says the data must be better connected to command networks and weapons. The gap highlights a continuing challenge as the military prepares for the possibility of conflict in space.

Bloomberg

High activity

Europe pushes for sovereign space capability as Paris summit confronts reliance on U.S. industry

European space leaders and international partners gathered in Paris to strengthen the continent’s position in a space market dominated by the United States. Discussions center on launch autonomy, independent satellite infrastructure, orbital sustainability and security—while the absence of SpaceX and Blue Origin underscores Europe’s dependence on American providers.

Ars Technica

3D-Printed Aluminum “Eggshell” Arrays Show Promise for Protecting Next-Generation Spacecraft

Impact testing found that 3D-printed aluminum arrays built with an eggshell-like structure and filled with water provided greater resistance than conventional designs. The approach could offer spacecraft developers a new path to improving protection against impacts while managing structural mass and manufacturing complexity.

SpaceWatch Global

High activity

Project-S Emerges from Stealth to Build a European Space Safety Layer

Project-S has emerged from stealth with plans to develop a European space safety layer. The initiative adds a new entrant to efforts focused on improving safety in the increasingly complex space environment, with its ambitions spanning technical and potentially political dimensions of Europe’s space sector.

SpaceNews.com

Chinese reconnaissance satellite Yaogan-50 (02) breaks up in rare retrograde orbit, generating debris field

Chinese reconnaissance satellite Yaogan-50 (02), launched into an unusual retrograde orbit earlier this year, has apparently fragmented, creating a field of orbital debris. The event adds a new object and debris-generation incident to an increasingly complex space environment, although the cause and full extent of the breakup remain unclear.

European Spaceflight

Project-S emerges from stealth with multi-million-euro funding for space situational awareness

Munich-based startup Project-S has emerged from stealth after announcing a multi-million-euro funding round. The company is developing capabilities in space situational awareness, a growing area focused on monitoring and understanding activity in orbit.