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| LeoLabs Alaska Phased Array |
LeoLabs, a California-based space company that will locate softball-size space debris for satellite companies. The deal will provide $12,000 annually for the next five years to help LeoLabs’ advertising and marketing efforts, according to the agreement. Total funds are not to exceed $60,000. The first payment will be made on or before Oct. 1.
The city will lease the 150-foot by-100-foot property for $12,000 a year. The $1.5 million radar facility will be built on a construction pad at T-Bar, a place chosen because it has little radio interference.
The site will be operated remotely and will be maintained by about three nonpermanent employees, Lacy said, adding that the facility will enable LeoLabs to track debris in the low Earth orbit, which will complement its Alaska-based operation that tracks debris in the polar orbit.
Per the promotional agreement with MDC, LeoLabs will:
- Brand the radar facility as the Midland Space Radar, or MSR.
- Promote the MSR on its website and add a link to the MDC website.
- Include a description and logo for Midland’s space activities at Midland International Air & Space Port and the Midland Spaceport Business Park in its promotional materials and presentations.
- Include a reference to the MSR and the city of Midland’s support of the space economy in its press releases.
Read more: Large radar facility coming to West Texas - MRT.com: Business http://www.mrt.com/business/article_04b08744-793c-11e6-a7a3-0751eecd07f6.html#ixzz4KH5FVbJN
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution
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| Space Debris in LEO |
"Therefore, DirecTV or whoever can have a satellite go out and have no idea that something is approaching,” he said. “(LeoLabs’) technology will provide an independent, private company tracking this material that other companies can subscribe to so they can get that data.”
Danielson said the company eventually will be able to track golf-ball-size objects (RCS -30 dBm2).
LeoLabs™ is dedicated to protecting satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) from collisions. The number of satellites in LEO is growing rapidly, and there is no reliable or responsive commercial service for tracking these satellites and the debris that threatens them. LEO is a shared, critical resource and responsible stewardship is important if we are to maintain its use. LeoLabs™ Tracking as a Service (TaaS) will address this need with a worldwide network of phased-array radars and a data analytics service that will address the shortcomings of current data sources by (a) tracking 10x more debris than is currently tracked and (b) rapidly responding to urgent customer requests. LeoLabs™ TaaS also includes other services - quickly tracking newly launched satellites, verifying deployments, verifying maneuvers, and troubleshooting satellite malfunctions.
LeoLabs was spun off from SRI International, according to its website. Its CEO is Daniel Ceperley, its chief technology officer is Michael Nicolls, and its chief engineer is John Buonocore. All three are listed as founders. LeoLabs filed with the California Secretary of State on Jan. 4, 2016. It is incorporated in Delaware.
The deal marks the third space company the city and MDC have cooperated with. The first was XCOR Aerospace, which is developing the Lynx horizontal takeoff and landing suborbital space plane. XCOR is headquartered at Midland International, as is Orbital Outfitters, which develops spacesuits and will operate the city-owned Midland Altitude Chamber Complex.
The city and MDC are also working on a partnership with Scotland’s Prestwick Spaceport. The Reporter-Telegram previously reported that XCOR will look to launch the Lynx from Prestwick, with aerospace company Oribital Access serving as the operator. Prestwick-based Orbital Access is eyeing Midland as a possible place for horizontal satellite launches.
Read more: Large radar facility coming to West Texas - MRT.com: Business http://www.mrt.com/business/article_04b08744-793c-11e6-a7a3-0751eecd07f6.html#ixzz4KGGg0Jay
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution
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