Advancing Space Situational Awareness with AI-Driven Optical Tracking

Spaceflux is a UK-based space technology company specializing in Space Situational Awareness (SSA) through its proprietary global network of optical sensors and advanced AI-driven analytics. Founded in 2022, the company addresses the growing challenges of orbital congestion and space debris by providing precise tracking and monitoring services for satellites and space debris across all orbital regimes, from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geostationary Orbit (GEO) and Cislunar space. Spaceflux’s mission is to enhance the safety, sustainability, and transparency of space operations by delivering accurate and reliable data services to satellite operators, governments, and the insurance industry.

Company Overview

Headquartered in London, Spaceflux was established by a team of scientists and engineers with extensive experience in developing and managing commercial, remotely operated telescopes, as well as applying advanced machine learning techniques to object detection. The company’s core offering is its SSA services, which are based on a global, proprietary network of optical sensors capable of tracking satellites and space debris from LEO to GEO and Cislunar orbits. By combining high-precision optical sensors with AI-driven data analytics, Spaceflux provides unparalleled tracking and mapping services, enabling the detection and monitoring of objects as small as 2.5 centimeters in LEO and 10 centimeters in GEO.

Technology and Services

Optical Sensor Network

Spaceflux operates a global network of proprietary optical sensors strategically distributed across multiple locations worldwide. This network is designed to identify and track satellites and space debris, including objects below 10 centimeters in size, which constitute approximately 96% of space hazards. The sensors are capable of providing high-fidelity data with accurate and reliable uncertainties, essential for effective space traffic management and collision avoidance.

Cortex Platform

The Cortex Platform is Spaceflux’s unified interface built for efficiency and scalability, delivering real-time data analytics and enhanced surveillance capabilities. It leverages AI-driven algorithms and a micro-services architecture with RESTful APIs, enabling fast implementation and development of new services. The platform’s edge-processing infrastructure reduces latencies, delivering results within seconds of data acquisition.

Track and Guard

Track & Guard is an advanced satellite tracking service that utilizes Spaceflux’s global network of optical sensors to deliver precise and reliable SSA data. This service is essential for orbital analysis, precise orbit computation, and collision avoidance across all orbital regimes, with a special focus on the challenging LEO environment. The network is set to expand to 25 locations by the end of 2025, further enhancing tracking capabilities.

Monitoring and Characterization Services

Spaceflux offers services to protect, monitor, maintain custody, and characterize cooperative or non-cooperative spacecraft. These services include maneuver alerts, neighborhood watch, and object characterization, providing actionable insights to mitigate potential risks and ensure the safety of space missions.

Collision Avoidance Services

The company provides real-time monitoring and analysis of the trajectories of resident space objects to identify potential collision risks. By offering actionable insights, Spaceflux aims to ensure the safety of space missions and protect valuable space assets from potential collisions.

Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations

Spaceflux collaborates with various organizations to enhance its SSA capabilities. Notably, the company has partnered with the UK Space Command to boost GEO monitoring, operating satellite tracking ground-stations in locations such as Australia, Hawaii, and Chile. This expansion aims to deliver a substantial increase in daily observations, providing global coverage and unparalleled data accuracy and reliability.

Additionally, Spaceflux has been awarded a contract by the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to design and build an infrared telescope testbed. This project focuses on evaluating and de-risking Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) technology for space domain awareness applications, enhancing the ability to detect, track, and characterize satellites in Earth orbit.

Market Applications

Spaceflux’s services cater to a diverse range of clients, including:

• Government & Defence: Enhancing space domain awareness and offering advanced public SSA services.
• Satellite Operators: Elevating satellite operations with advanced services, including health monitoring and continuous tracking.
• SSA Operators: Leveraging superior optical tracking data to enhance SSA services.
• Insurance Industry: Evaluating and mitigating space asset risks with advanced solutions.

Conclusion

Spaceflux stands at the forefront of space situational awareness, providing innovative solutions to address the challenges of orbital congestion and space debris. Through its proprietary optical sensor network, AI-driven analytics, and strategic collaborations, the company delivers accurate and reliable data services essential for the safety and sustainability of space operations. As the number of satellites in orbit continues to rise, Spaceflux’s contributions are vital in ensuring a secure and transparent space environment.