The Space Data Association (SDA) has selected Spanish technology provider GMV to enhance and manage its global space traffic coordination platform beginning in early 2024. This decision was announced on September 16, 2023, in Tampa, Florida, marking a significant step toward improving safety in increasingly congested orbital environments.
The initiative focuses on the Space Safety Portal (SSP), which aggregates flight dynamics information from SDA members and public sources to deliver conjunction assessment and warning services. Originally established shortly after SDA’s founding in 2009, the SSP is currently operated by ComSpOC, a U.S. space situational awareness (SSA) company. GMV was chosen from a competitive pool of bidders aiming to create a next-generation system capable of addressing the rising collision risks associated with a growing number of satellites.
SDA chairman Joe Chan emphasized the urgency of this upgrade, particularly as the U.S. Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) faces budgetary constraints. “Avoiding collisions which can cause long-lived, hazardous space debris is more important than ever given the increased utilization of space,” Chan stated. He noted that while SDA advocates for publicly funded space traffic coordination systems, none are fully operational at this time.
The SDA aims to provide a low-barrier entry point for satellite operators seeking to engage in SSA. Membership fees grant access to the association’s services, which require members to share critical data, including advanced maneuver information. Chan likened this to a traffic code of conduct, asserting that safety in the orbital environment relies on all operators adhering to shared best practices. Currently, over 700 satellites contribute data to the SSP, including approximately half of all active spacecraft in geostationary orbit.
In a landscape where various commercial space traffic management platforms have emerged, Chan highlighted the unique advantages of SDA’s non-profit structure. This operator-founded organization is committed to safeguarding sensitive data while functioning as a data coordinator and innovation hub for all SSA providers. “As a fully independent, non-commercial entity and a permanent observer within UNOOSA, SDA can facilitate and integrate information to achieve global space traffic coordination,” he explained. Chan stressed the necessity of data sharing among industry players to move away from fragmented systems and toward a unified approach that consolidates information.
The upgraded Space Safety Portal is expected to introduce several new capabilities designed to enhance its functionality and effectiveness in managing space traffic. These improvements will likely include advanced analytical tools and better integration of real-time data to improve situational awareness for satellite operators.
As space utilization continues to grow, the collaboration between SDA and GMV represents a proactive response to the challenges posed by increased satellite activity. The upcoming enhancements to the SSP will be crucial in ensuring a safer orbital environment, helping to mitigate collision risks and contribute to the long-term sustainability of space operations.