Slingshot Aerospace has launched a new package aimed at helping governments set up independent space tracking capabilities without starting from scratch. The system, called Sovereign Space Object Tracking, combines deployable sensors, real-time data tools, and access to Slingshot’s existing orbital catalogue. It’s designed to give countries direct oversight of what’s happening in space, from routine satellite movements to unexpected activity. For governments such as the UK looking to manage their own space traffic data or reduce reliance on foreign tracking networks, it’s a shortcut to full space domain awareness.
Not Just for Superpowers
One of the key aims of the new system is accessibility. Countries with limited space infrastructure or no history of deep-space operations can use it to monitor orbits in real time, detect manoeuvres, and build up their own catalogues of tracked objects. It supports both low Earth and geostationary orbit monitoring, and can be adapted to match mission scale, ranging from small deployments to full-coverage networks. By linking into Slingshot’s broader Global Sensor Network, the system can immediately extend visibility to thousands of known objects, including satellites and debris. From there, users can build out their own capabilities at their own pace.
Building Autonomy in a Crowded Orbit
As space becomes more contested and congested, there’s growing pressure for nations to improve their space situational awareness, not just for defence, but also for managing satellite traffic, responding to close approaches, and understanding unusual orbital activity. Slingshot’s approach offers a straightforward way in, with optional support from orbital analysts and hardware specialists. It won’t replace full national space infrastructure, but it’s a practical way to start taking control of the data.
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