700,000 Uncontrolled Objects Circling Our Planet Pose A Risk To Space Operations And Satellites

A demonstrator radar developed by Indra for detecting objects in space has successfully passed the validation tests performed within the European Space Agency's Space Situational Awareness preparation program.

The first phase of this program aims to establish the basis for building the future European system that will monitor the waste from other missions that is floating freely in space. The tests performed at Santorcaz, Madrid had the aim of verifying that the technology used by the radar system is mature enough to be used in the design of a definitive surveillance system. The tests were focused on observing and detecting known objects for which orbital information is already available.

Among other events, the system precisely noted the undocking of the CYGNUS supply ship from the International Space Station. This event is of special interest since it shows the demonstrator's ability to differentiate, at a distance as well as at an angle, two objects of very different sizes, located relatively close to each other in the same orbit.

Other tests included monitoring ESA's three SWARM satellites, and observing the tumbling of the Envisat satellite, which is currently unable to maneuver.

After successfully completing the test campaign, the demonstrator was accepted by the ESA and formally delivered to the agency by Indra. Long-duration operating tests are currently being performed with the system to verify its ability to detect small objects in low altitude orbits.

(Image provided by Indra)

FMI: www.indracompany.com