Better ways of tracking satellites and other space objects could come into force following the completion of a successful trial of a new space surveillance system in Cyprus.

Eastbourne-based company Space Insight has been awarded a contract by the British National Space Centre (BNSC) to undertake this work, and has just returned from testing the system at a Ministry of Defence base on the island which has excellent night-time sky conditions.

Space Insight is exploring how a sensor called Starbrook could be used to scan vast areas of sky every few hours, providing a map of the satellites and space objects that are detected. The news comes as traditional methods of tracking space objects on an individual basis are becoming increasing unworkable because of the increasing number of satellites and other objects orbiting in space.

David Williams, Director General of BNSC, said:

“The government has an obligation to monitor UK-licensed objects in space, tracking their journey and ensuring that they are properly disposed of at the end of their lifetime.  The Starbrook sensor could make this process a whole lot easier and is yet another example of a UK company,  supported by BNSC, forging ahead with new innovations in space technology.”

And Dr James Dick, Director of Space Insight, added:

“Starbrook takes a fresh approach to space surveillance and we are pleased that BNSC is supporting this innovation which we hope will provide further input into developing European capability on this important issue.” The company has also been awarded a contract to update the UK’s current capabilities for predicting when space debris might re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere and potentially hit the ground. Space debris, such as old satellites and rocket bodies, re-enter the atmosphere every few days.  This debris often burns up harmlessly, creating a dramatic man-made shooting star.

However, some larger objects have the potential to survive this re-entry and hit the Earth’s surface, causing damage to people and buildings. Although there have been no serious reported incidents of this occurring, more satellites are being launched than ever before and the need to safeguard the Earth from space debris is increasing in urgency.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. BNSC has awarded two contracts to Space Insight: £75,000 for the Starbrook space surveillance project and £33,000 for the space debris re-entry prediction project.

2. Space Insight, an independent United Kingdom-based company, provides observation and surveillance services to customers relating to the growing number of near-Earth objects in space. The company is also part of the BNSC delegation to the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee which advises the United Nations. For further information about Space Insight, visit www.spaceinsight.co.uk or contact Alison Gibb (Tel: 01323 500 987 or Email: alisong…@btopenworld.com).

 3.  The British National Space Centre (BNSC) is the Government body at the heart of UK civil space activity, supporting academic research, championing UK industry and publicising the diverse benefits of space to a  wide audience. It is a partnership of 11 Government Departments and research  councils: the Department of Trade and Industry; the Office of Science and  Innovation; the Department for Education and Skills; the Department for  Transport; the Ministry of Defence; the Foreign and Commonwealth Office;  the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; the Council for  the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils; the Natural Environment Research Council; the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council;  and the Met Office. For further information, visit www.bnsc.gov.uk

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