Electro Optic Systems, Lockheed Martin battle space junk

SPACE junk collisions can be catastrophic but a new Australian hi-tech tracking station is going to spot disasters before they happen.

A NEW hi-tech alliance will be forged between two powerhouse Australian and US space companies to help protect billions of dollars worth of satellites from the scourge of space junk.

Australian-based Electro Optic Systems (EOS) and US giant Lockheed Martin are today (TUES) expected to announce they are establishing a ground based space junk tracking station in Western Australia.

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Looking out for space junk ... An EOS space laser station at Stromlo, near Canberra. Picture: Supplied

More than a decade ago EOS developed an early warning laser based tracking system to allow operators to alter the orbit of their ‘birds’ to prevent a catastrophic collision with the 100,000 pieces of debris and satellites orbiting the earth at 20,000km/hr.

More than 30 per cent of the offending objects are greater than 20cm in size and capable of inflicting terminal damage on expensive commercial or military satellites.

The potential for a space junk disaster was dramatised in the Hollywood move Gravity where a space shuttle was hit by a shower of debris.

Gravity ... The potential for a space junk disaster was dramatised in the 2013 Hollywood move. Picture: Supplied.

Space junk ... Actress Sandra Bullock brought the issue to life in 2013 movie Gravity. Picture: Warner Bros.

On August 5 EOS announced a raft of developments in its space business as well as its plan to expand its tracking capacity by establishing a new space tracking site in Australia.

“Development of the new site will commence in late 2014 and when operational in

early 2016 it will approximately double EOS’ current capability to meet customer data

requirements,” the firm said.

Under the new agreement they will collaborate in the production, deployment and operation of proprietary space tracking sensors.

Chief Executive of EOS, Ben Greene, said that the WA facility would provide a space debris tracking capacity equal to a quarter of all current capacity, but with far greater accuracy.

“The partnership with Lockheed Martin will help both organisations establish a global

network of space sensors, while simultaneously increasing the market reach of the

partners’ data and services,” Dr Greene said.

“We consider the strategic partnership with Lockheed Martin a major step towards the achievement of critical mass of sensors, data and services, all of which are critical in providing detailed yet easily usable information on space debris.”

Executive Vice President of Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Rick Ambrose, said that ground- based space situational awareness was a growing priority for government and

companies around the world.

“Through this agreement with Electro Optic Systems, we’ll offer customers a

clearer picture of the objects that could endanger their satellites, and do so with great

precision and cost-effectiveness,” Mr Ambrose said.