LeoLabs has started operation of its new phased-array radar known as the Midland Space Radar (MSR) to track space debris in the low-Earth orbit (LEO).
The MSR is located in Texas, US, and will provide high-resolution orbital data on LEO-based satellites and debris.
LeoLabs CEO Dan Ceperley said: “In combination with data already provided from our Alaska site, the MSR brings our coverage of known LEO objects up to 95%, and improves our ability to provide high resolution data on a commercial service platform.”
The device was developed as part of a contract signed between LeoLabs, Midland City Council and Midland Development in September last year. Construction took six months to complete.
LeoLabs founder and CTO Mike Nicolls said: “This is precisely the benefit of an additional dedicated radar site such as our Midland Space Radar.
“With the MSR, not only do we increase our coverage, we add thousands of additional observations to our LEO data set, and we will not stop here.
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By GlobalData“We are already scouting sites in the high Northern and Southern latitudes, as well as equatorial areas, to expand even further.
"Our mission is to reach 100% coverage of orbital debris, and make our data a foundation for securing the emerging LEO economy.”
The company currently provides several services such as initial orbit determination and collision avoidance to the commercial satellite operators in LEO, as well as government agencies and satellite management service firms.
