Enhanced Star Trackers Revolutionize Satellite Debris Monitoring

Belgian spacecraft component specialist Arcsec and Portuguese space traffic management venture NeuraSpace are collaborating on the development of star-tracking sensors that would enable satellites to detect hazardous orbital debris that is too small to be detected from the ground. The upgraded star trackers would provide data to NeuraSpace, allowing them to track smaller orbital debris. Redwire has also developed a star tracker with debris detection capabilities, set to be launched in the next three to six months. Other manufacturers are exploring the development of star trackers for debris detection. The addition of debris-monitoring capabilities to star trackers would enhance space safety and improve orbit calculations.