// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Space Situational Awareness
The ability to track, identify, and predict the movement of objects in space, including active satellites, debris, and potential threats.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Space Situational Awareness (SSA) is the comprehensive understanding of the space environment, encompassing the detection, tracking, cataloging, and characterization of all man-made and natural objects (satellites, debris, asteroids) in orbit, enabling collision avoidance, threat assessment, and safe space operations for operators and national security.
BACKGROUND
The United States Space Force (USSF) is the space service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and was established on 20 December 2019. Part of the United States Department of Defense, it is one of the six armed forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the second independent space force to have been formed, after the Russian Space Forces; together with that of China, it is one of only two still extant.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- SSA
- space domain awareness
- orbital tracking
- space surveillance
USAGE NOTE
SSA is vital for preventing collisions and ensuring the safety of space assets.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Space Situational Awareness.
A commercial provider of space situational awareness (SSA) and collision avoidance services. They operate a global network of phased-array radars to track satellites and debris in low Earth orbit (LEO).
Operates the world's largest commercial network of optical telescopes for tracking objects in geosynchronous orbit (GEO) and beyond. They provide SSA data and services to government and commercial clients.
Develops a platform that aggregates data from multiple sources (including commercial and government sensors) to provide a comprehensive operational picture of the space environment, enabling satellite operators to manage their assets safely.
A major defense contractor that develops and operates advanced SSA systems. They are the prime contractor for the U.S. Space Force's Space Fence, a high-frequency radar system for tracking small objects in LEO.
A global aerospace and defense technology company involved in developing both ground-based and space-based SSA capabilities, including sensor systems and data analytics for military and intelligence customers.
Co-founded by Steve Wozniak, this company is focused on creating a highly accurate map of space objects. They are developing Wayfinder, a data platform for space traffic management and SSA.
The U.S. military's operational unit responsible for maintaining the unified space object catalog. They use the global Space Surveillance Network (SSN) to track objects, predict collisions, and provide SSA data to the world.
Provides autonomous collision avoidance software and services for satellite operators. Their platform uses SSA data to predict potential conjunctions and automatically generates safe maneuvering plans.