Write a comment
Raytheon NORSS, a division of Raytheon Technologies Corporation (NYSE: RTX), a leader in aerospace and defense, has been entrusted with a significant contract to augment the United Kingdom's capabilities in space domain awareness. This move, involving the provision of Space Surveillance and Tracking Services Data (SST) in low-Earth orbit (LEO) for Resident Space Objects (RSO), marks a pivotal st by Sophie Jenkins
London, UK (SPX) Dec 19, 2023
Raytheon NORSS, a division of Raytheon Technologies Corporation (NYSE: RTX), a leader in aerospace and defense, has been entrusted with a significant contract to augment the United Kingdom's capabilities in space domain awareness. This move, involving the provision of Space Surveillance and Tracking Services Data (SST) in low-Earth orbit (LEO) for Resident Space Objects (RSO), marks a pivotal step in enhancing the UK's sovereign capabilities in monitoring space.
The contract awarded by the UK Space Agency underscores the growing importance of maintaining a detailed understanding of the LEO environment, especially given the increasing congestion in this area. LEO, characterized by orbits up to 2,000 km above the Earth, is a region densely populated with satellites and an ever-increasing amount of space debris, making surveillance and tracking more critical than ever.
Under the terms of the agreement, Raytheon NORSS will deploy its ground-based Low-Earth Orbit Camera Installation sensors, known as LOCI. These sophisticated sensors are designed to routinely collect observation data on a wide array of objects in LEO. This encompasses not only space debris, which poses a potential threat to operational assets, but also defense and commercial satellites. The data gathered by LOCI will be instrumental in expanding and improving the UK's sovereign space domain awareness capabilities, ultimately aiding the UK Space Agency in safeguarding orbital assets against dangers such as collisions or fragmentation events.
Sean Goldsbrough, the head of Raytheon NORSS, highlighted the growing urgency of such capabilities, stating, "As the number of objects in LEO continues to increase, it's vital that our customers know what is happening with and around not only their assets, but also in the space environment." Goldsbrough's comments underscore the critical nature of this initiative in an era where space is becoming increasingly congested and contested.
Further emphasizing Raytheon NORSS's commitment to this field, the company has recently expanded the international deployment of its LOCI sensors. This expansion aims to provide a more comprehensive and wider picture of the LEO environment, essential for effective space domain awareness. The LOCI sensor network will be operated from multiple locations, including the UK, the U.S., and Australia, demonstrating a significant global footprint in space surveillance.
This contract announcement follows the recent selection of Raytheon NORSS, in collaboration with intandem, to develop a 10-year strategy for the UK Space Agency's National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC). Scheduled to open in April 2024, the NSpOC is a strategic initiative by the UK to enhance its space domain awareness responsibilities. The centre is expected to play a key role in the nation's efforts to monitor and understand the space environment, aligning with global efforts to ensure the sustainable use of space.
Related Links
RTX
Military Space News at SpaceWar.com