// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Conjunction
When two celestial bodies or spacecraft appear very close to each other in the sky from a particular vantage point. In space, it can mean two objects are on paths that bring them dangerously close.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
In astrodynamics, a conjunction refers to a close approach between two or more orbiting objects (e.g., satellites, planets) in space, posing a potential collision risk or requiring evasive maneuvers.
BACKGROUND
The economy of Bengaluru, the state capital of Karnataka, is a highly developed and highly diversified economy that encompasses the largest metropolitan economy of South India. Bengaluru contributes over 43.65% to the economy of the State of Karnataka, and with projected GDP growth at 8.5%, Bangalore is the world's fastest growing city.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Close approach
- Rendezvous
- Collision risk
- Near miss
USAGE NOTE
Satellite operators constantly monitor for conjunctions to prevent costly and dangerous space debris-generating collisions.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Conjunction.
LeoLabs provides commercial Space Domain Awareness (SDA) services, utilizing a global network of radars to track objects in low Earth orbit and deliver high-fidelity conjunction assessment and collision avoidance warnings to satellite operators.
ExoAnalytic Solutions operates a vast global network of telescopes to provide Space Situational Awareness (SSA) data, offering critical conjunction assessment and collision risk analysis for both government and commercial space operations.
The Commercial Space Operations Center (COMSPOC) delivers space domain awareness, including advanced conjunction assessment, collision avoidance analysis, and maneuver planning support for satellite constellations and critical space assets.
Kayhan Space develops autonomous collision avoidance and space traffic management platforms that provide satellite operators with timely conjunction warnings and optimized maneuver recommendations to prevent in-orbit collisions.
Slingshot Aerospace offers Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and Space Traffic Management (STM) solutions, including collision avoidance tools that provide operators with data-driven insights to manage conjunction risks and ensure space safety.
Astroscale is a leader in on-orbit servicing and space debris removal, which inherently requires advanced tracking and collision avoidance capabilities to manage conjunctions during complex rendezvous and proximity operations.
As a major aerospace and defense company, Lockheed Martin develops and operates advanced Space Situational Awareness (SSA) systems, including being the prime contractor for the U.S. Space Force's Space Fence, which provides critical data for detecting and predicting conjunctions.
ESA operates a Space Safety Programme that includes extensive Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) activities, performing conjunction assessment and providing collision avoidance support for its own fleet of satellites and contributing to a safer space environment.