Ground has been broken on an Australian facility that will track space debris.
The facility is part of the Optical Space Services (OSSTM) network, a collaboration between Lockheed Martin and Australia’s Electro Optic Systems (EOS). It is designed to complement radar-based tracking such as the U.S. Air Force’s Space Fence, according to a Lockheed Martin news release.
“The expansion of space debris tracking by EOS and Lockheed Martin is expected to make a significant contribution to the preservation of the space environment, by providing data which will enable cost-effective debris maneuver for satellites,” said Lockheed Martin vice president Mark Valerio. “The accuracy of our optical sensor network, combined with an ability to reschedule tracking operations according to commercial priorities, will provide a trusted source of critical space data to commercial and government operators.”
EOS expects to begin delivering tracking data by late 2016.
