Space has no traffic control

Why is traffic management needed?

As satellites fill our skies and space becomes like a crowded road, the challenge arises: how to manage this celestial traffic?

Unlike cars, these vehicles in space are autonomous, and collisions could pose a threat. When Satellite collide and crash communication could be impacted.

Vyoma

A company steps in as a solution, dedicated to creating a sustainable space environment. The company, founded in 2020 in Frankfurt, Germany, raised $9.3 million in seed funding.

Their mission is to avoid satellite collisions and limit space debris growth. In the vastness of space, Vyoma strives for a clear path forward, ensuring a safe and clutter-free cosmos for generations to come.

How are satellite collisions prevented?

The primary method of preventing satellite collisions is through careful planning and positioning.

Once in orbit, satellites are tracked by organizations like the U.S. Space Surveillance Network (SSN), which monitors all man-made objects in space.

The SSN uses radar and optical sensors to track over 20,000 objects, including active satellites and space debris.

This data is then used to predict potential collisions. If a potential collision is detected, operators on the ground can adjust the satellite’s course using onboard propulsion systems.

Issues associated with the technology used to prevent satellite collisions

Avoiding satellite collisions is a tricky dance. Not all satellites can steer clear on their own, relying on data exchange for collision avoidance.

Challenges arise in establishing global communication protocols. These systems need accurate tracking and sensor data, and while some satellites can dodge collisions autonomously, it demands highly reliable technology.

With more satellites in orbit, the complexity of avoiding collisions increases. Adding to the challenge, there's currently no global regulatory framework, and coordination among operators is limited.

Here are some of the impacts with satellite collisions:

• Collisions between satellites can result in the generation of a significant amount of space debris.

• Collisions can damage or destroy operational satellites, leading to disruptions in communication, navigation, weather monitoring, and other critical services that rely on satellite technology.

Vyoma's technology to preventing satellite collisions

Bolstering their services with space situational awareness data.

Telescope: launching their own telescopes into space to continuously monitor active satellites and space debris, from low-Earth to Geostationary orbit (LEO to GEO). Carrying such highly sensitive instruments on their satellites enables them to observe the vast majority of objects up to 30 times a day.

Sensor network: operational telescope network offers dedicated tracking capabilities, allowing them to quickly react to events of interest. Enhance transparency in terms of when the next observation will come through and how it affects the orbit solution's uncertainty.

Cataloguing: powerful telescopes enable them to regularly detect previously uncatalogued objects. Maintain their own catalogue of space objects, underpinning space safety and domain awareness services.

Service offered

The company offer the service to commercial space operators and defence operators.

Value proposition for commercial operators:

• Vyoma's collision avoidance service empowers clients to efficiently manage one or multiple satellites, providing an instant overview of all your assets, the latest information, and optimal actions.

• benefits: Concise fleet status overview, Trustworthy space traffic insights with periodic or dedicated object tracking, Responsive satellite operations solutions through automated manoeuvre planning

• Collision avoidance dashboard

Value proposition for defence operators:

• No blind spots – with continuous space surveillance and Vyoma’s own early warning system, satellite manoeuvres and newly inserted objects will be detected in a matter of minutes.

• benefits: Trustworthy space domain intelligence, Timely anomaly warnings and pattern-of-life updates, Reliable space object characterization, including early detection and reporting of anomalous behaviours

• Orbit determination dashboard

At Vyoma, the company prioritizes efficiency in space operations for their clients: satellite operators and intelligence officers. They understand clients' pain points because they operate satellites themselves.

With a passionate team of experts, rigorous research, and a lean and cost-efficient NewSpace approach, they provide reliable and agile space solutions

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿❗

👉 The US is planning to introduce a certification process for commercial spacecraft, whereby companies 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 in order to be 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 to start their commercial space activities.

Maybe this new will play well for voyma.

Space is interesting.

That’s it for today.

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