ExoAnalytic and NorthStar E&S partner to tackle space debris threat

US-based ExoAnalytic Solutions has partnered with NorthStar Earth & Space (E&S) to provide space situational awareness (SSA) information to address the threat of space debris.

The companies will focus on developing new commercial services that will help increase situational awareness and ensure safe space operations.

According to the strategic cooperation, ExoAnalytic’s global telescope network will combine with sensors deployed on NorthStar’s satellite constellation to supply data that will protect satellites in orbit from a collision with space debris or other objects.

ExoAnalytic Solutions CEO Doug Hendrix said: “Congestion in space is a clear and present threat to all space-faring nations and managing assets in space is everybody’s business.

“Satellite operators need independent, accurate data sources and tools to enable them to make smart decisions in real-time.

“ExoAnalytic Solutions and NorthStar E&S will offer the highest quality SSA data, tools and services to help ensure safe access to space for future generations.”

Using a 40-satellite constellation, NorthStar information platform will gather information on the whereabouts of resident space objects (RSOs).

The platform will then employ advanced analytics and algorithms and precisely forecasts potential collisions of assets in space.

NorthStar E&S CEO Stewart Bain said: “NorthStar is pleased to create this cooperation between our Canadian company and ExoAnalytic Solutions, an established US enterprise.

“Collaborations between trusted partners and nations are essential to safe operations in space. Canada is host to the International Civil Aviation Organisation, space traffic is a natural next step in the evolution.”

The European Space Agency has estimated 129 million space debris objects, which includes 128 million objects smaller than 1cm, 900,000 objects between 1 and 10cm, and 34,000 objects larger than 10cm, to be present in Earth’s orbit as on January this year.