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Words:  Camden SmithProducer: Gillian McNally
$240m radar slated for NT to track space junk
A US-backed space surveillance company has its eyes on a Territory site for a multimillion-dollar radar to track the hundreds of thousands of pieces of space junk and debris threatening to take down satellites — or worse...
LeoLabs Australia is seeking support under the federal Modern Manufacturing Initiative to tip the $240m Aussie Space Radar project over the line. 
The company wants to develop a low Earth orbit modular space radar at Arnhem Space Centre, and has the backing of the Gumatj Corporation.
LeoLabs Australia general manager Terry van Haren says the emerging commercial space sector was driving a need for reliable, accurate space surveillance in low Earth orbit.
The radar would search, detect and track objects in low Earth orbit, which is the first 2000km above Earth, providing space situational awareness to help agencies avoid collisions.
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Terry van HarenLeoLabs Australia
We estimate there’s 250,000 objects that are ­untraced in low Earth orbit, ranging from golf ball-sized to 10cm in diameter. Travelling at 7.8km a second in space, something the size of a golf ball can destroy a satellite.
To illustrate the point, he said in 1957, the year the ­Soviet Union launched the Sputnik satellite, there were zero objects in low Earth orbit.
Five years ago there were 455 active satellites in low Earth orbit. There are 3500 today and by the end of the decade there will be 50,000-plus satellites.
With the emergence of private space operators like SpaceX and Virgin Galactic, LeoLabs is anticipating exponential growth in satellite traffic and junk.
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Terry van HarenLeoLabs Australia
This is a space sustainability issue. LeoLab will map and ­detect those objects in space and then predict the collision risk from objects transiting that radar area. The Territory would be part of a global network.
LeoLabs has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the Gumatj Corporation and the NT government – and anticipates a decision this year.  
Because space launches out of Asia crossed Territory skies, Arnhem Land is an ideal place to trace lift-offs from the Koreas, Japan and out of China.
Gumatj Corporation chief executive Klaus Helms said the project would add to Equatorial Launch Australia’s space development near Nhulunbuy.
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Klaus HelmsGumatj Corporation
We want to try and lock in as many long-term jobs to avoid welfare. As well as construction jobs, there will be site maintenance and security, delivery of power, mechanical, maintenance, the service construction and security ele­ment. We’re looking at anything that’s post mining.
																																								

Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/web-stories/free/nt-news/leolab-nt-space-radar-project-to-track-space-junk-from-east-arnhem