The Space Data Association (SDA) has announced the selection of Spanish technology provider GMV to upgrade and manage its global space traffic coordination platform, starting early in 2024. This decision was revealed on September 16, 2023, as the SDA aims to enhance the safety of increasingly crowded orbits.
The initiative will focus on the Space Safety Portal (SSP), which collects flight dynamics data from SDA members and public sources to deliver conjunction assessment and warning services. Originally established shortly after the SDA’s founding in 2009, the SSP is currently operated by U.S.-based space situational awareness (SSA) expert ComSpOC. The upgrade is essential as satellite traffic increases and collision risks rise in Earth’s orbit.
Critical Timing for Space Safety
SDA chairman Joe Chan emphasized the urgency of this upgrade, particularly as the U.S. Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) faces budget constraints. “Avoiding collisions, which can create long-lasting and hazardous space debris, is more important than ever given the increased utilization of space,” Chan stated in an email.
The SDA operates with the premise that effective space traffic coordination requires participation from all operators. Membership in the SDA is necessary to access its services, and members must share critical data, including advanced maneuver information. Chan likened this to a “traffic code of conduct,” stressing that safety in a crowded orbital environment hinges on adherence to shared best practices.
According to Chan, over 700 satellites currently contribute data to the SSP, which includes approximately half of all active spacecraft in geostationary orbit. This collaborative approach is designed to reduce barriers and encourage more operators to engage in SSA.
Non-Profit Approach and Future Capabilities
As various commercial space traffic management platforms emerge, Chan highlighted that the SDA’s non-profit status provides a unique advantage in protecting sensitive data. The organization aims to serve as a data coordinator and an innovation hub that unites all SSA providers.
“As a fully independent, non-commercial entity and as a permanent observer within the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), SDA can act as the facilitator to integrate information for global Space Traffic Coordination,” Chan remarked.
To realize this vision, Chan insists on the necessity of data sharing among industry stakeholders. “If we don’t share data, we will remain in the current fragmented state of different SSA systems,” he explained. A unified approach is crucial for vetting and converting data into a common framework, making it accessible when needed.
The upgraded SSP is anticipated to introduce several new capabilities, enhancing its functionality and effectiveness in managing space traffic and reducing collision risks. As satellite constellations expand and the orbital landscape evolves, the SDA’s efforts with GMV will be pivotal in ensuring a safer space environment for all operators.
