A collaboration between Analytical Graphics Inc. (AGI) and Thoth Technology brings the 46-meter radio astronomy antenna at the Algonquin Radio Observatory (ARO) to the commercial space situational awareness (SSA) market. Unlike other commercial radars, the ARO is capable of tracking objects at Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and beyond. Until now, all radars with comparable capabilities have been government-owned.

“Thoth’s digital Earth fence radar can observe space objects up to a range of 50,000 km,” said Thoth President and CEO, Caroline Roberts.  “Thoth is delighted to be partnering with AGI to bring this unique technology to the commercial SSA market.”

Traditionally, deep space tracking has been accomplished with telescopes, but the ARO radar closes the daytime optical gap and by-passes weather restrictions. For the last two years AGI and Thoth worked to put the radar through operational tests, by which it has been calibrated, validated, and is now collecting observations on objects in and crossing through GEO.

“Commercial SSA continues to move forward, providing huge costs savings and innovative technology faster,” said Paul Graziani, AGI’s CEO and co-founder. “This is an exciting venture which allows ARO full 24/7 collection capability of GEO.”

AGI and Thoth partnered in 2016 to advance the state of radar tracking of GEO satellites and debris by upgrading the ARO, where Thoth had been providing space tracking and communication services. The radar now expands AGI’s Commercial Space Operations Center’s (ComSpOC) sensor network and subsequently its space catalog by tracking active and debris objects at geostationary altitude, and providing even more timely maneuvar detection.

ABOUT THOTH

Thoth Technology Inc. is a Canadian space and defense company that operates the ARO to provide a range of space tracking and communications services. The company also specializes in thermal vacuum and vibration testing to certify equipment for spaceflight and is an award-winning OEM supplier of miniaturized space payloads. For more information, visit www.thothx.com.

About AGI

AGI develops commercial modeling and analysis software for land, sea, air and space systems which is used by more than 50,000 engineers, operators and analysts worldwide. AGI

developed the ComSpoC to deliver the most relevant, timely Space Situational Awareness (SSA), mission assurance and space traffic management services available. For more information, visit www.agi.com