WASHINGTON _ Numerica, a space data provider that operates a network of deep space telescopes, is launching a new service aimed at government and commercial satellite operators, the company announced April 9.
Numerica’s space data services have evolved from basic object tracking to provide a “broader space neighborhood watch and real-time information to help inform decision makers,” Jeff Aristoff, Numerica’s vice president of space systems, said in a statement to SpaceNews.
The Fort Collins, Colorado-based startup has expanded its telescope network with new sites and upgrades including daytime tracking and low Earth orbit satellite tracking capabilities, Aristoff said. “We have added three observatory sites in the last six months with five more planned in the next year. We are also improving our techniques for orbit determination, change detection, pattern-of-life learning and dim object detection.”
With these new capabilities, the company can improve orbit determination and the accuracy of conjunction warnings and other alerts, Aristoff said.
Numerica provides space data and analytics services to the U.S. military under multiple contracts it received from the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Space and Missile Systems Center and the Defense Innovation Unit.
“Our service to date has been focused on traditional space situational awareness functions like space catalog maintenance, satellite change detection, maneuver detection and collision avoidance,” Aristoff said. “Our main users are operations centers and developers. We are now offering our SSA services directly to a broad range of satellite operators both foreign and domestic.”
Aristoff said the company has continued to work and deliver services during the coronavirus pandemic even though business has slowed down. “Government contracting activity has slowed and several business opportunities could be in jeopardy,” he said.
