Extending Space Debris Tracking to Sub-10 cm Objects with Next-Generation Radar

LeoLabs Federal, Inc. (LeoLabs) proposes to develop a next-generation ground-based radar system to protect satellites and astronauts from small debris in low Earth orbit (LEO). This technology will address the critical gap between shielding, which is effective for debris I centimeter and smaller, and active collision avoidance, which currently tracks debris IO centimeters and larger. LeoLabs proposes to pursue two activities to deliver on this objective. One, to verify its Ranger™ ground-based radar technology will track debris as small as I centimeter-wide. Designed with modular architecture, this technology supports a range of radar types, from small, mobile radars for monitoring highly maneuverable satellites to powerful fixed-site radars capable of tracking smaller debris. We will also investigate enhancements to enable tracking of the smallest objects, including possible enhancements to develop a higher frequency version of the radar. Two to design the software algorithms to detect and catalog hundreds of thousands of previously untracked small debris. This will be done in a scalable manner, that optimizes the use of radar time and cloud resources. LeoLabs currently maintains an operational catalog with 23,000 objects. LeoLabs will execute Phase I within 180 days, delivering a final report that lays the groundwork for the next phase of development. By the end of Phase II, the company will have a prototype tested on the benchtop, demonstrating its feasibility. Ultimately, this technology will be deployed into LeoLabs’ operational, world-wide LEO safety system that today serves 75% of all the satellites in LEO, US government agencies, and allied government agencies. The current network consists of seven ground-based radar sites housing a total of 11 phased-array radars. LeoLabs designs and operates its own radar technology and maintains the world's largest commercial satellite catalog, along with the cloud-based software system that manages it.

• Enhancing NASA’s Spaceflight Safety & Operations • Improves collision risk assessments for the International Space Station and crewed missions. • Enhances protection for NASA assets, reducing the risk of debris-related damage. • Supports NASA’s Artemis and future exploration missions by ensuring a safer orbital environment. • Advancing Space Situational Awareness (SSA) • Fills the current tracking gap (1-10 cm debris), improving space traffic management and mission planning. • Provides real-time, high-precision tracking data for NASA’s debris monitoring initiatives. • Strengthens NASA’s ability to predict long-term orbital debris trends for future mission design. • Supporting NASA’s Orbit Debris Research & Modeling (ORDEM) • Enhances NASA’s ORDEM with real-world radar data on previously untracked debris. • Provides a higher-resolution debris population data for spacecraft shielding and mission risk assessments. • Enabling Sustainable Space Operations • Supports NASA’s long-term goal of preserving LEO as a safe, accessible domain for future space activities. • Contributes to debris mitigation strategies, ensuring sustainable space exploration. • Protecting the Future of Space Operations • Enhancing space safety ensures long-term sustainability for all users of LEO– commercial, government, and scientific. • Reducing collision risk protects critical investments in satellite infrastructure and enables future exploration and commerce. • Being good stewards of space preserves access to LEO for future generations, preventing debris growth from making space operations costlier and riskier. • Commercial & Government Satellite Operators • Enhances space safety for operators managing satellite constellations. • Reduces collision risk, prevent costly damages and mission failures. • International Space Agencies: • Provides better debris monitoring for allied governments, improving global space situation awareness. • Generates safety information from commercial infrastructure so the information is not classified and can be used for international coordination and cooperation. • Insurance and Risk Management • Enables more accurate risk assessments for space insurers, reducing premiums for operators with better safety data. • Regulatory & Policy Impact and Applications • Supports regulatory policy and efforts for sustainable space operations. • Aligns with global efforts to mitigate space debris and enforce responsible space practices. • Strengthens the case for international collaboration in space traffic management.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.