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Lockheed Martin And
Electro Optic Systems To
Establish Space Debris
Tracking Site In Western
Australia
Aug. 25, 2014
Under a new strategic
cooperation agreement,
Lockheed Martin and
Electro Optic Systems
Pty Ltd are developing a
new space object
tracking site in
Western Australia
that will paint a more
detailed picture of
space debris for both
government and
commercial customers.
The site will use a
combination of lasers
and sensitive optical
systems like those found
in telescopes to detect,
track and characterize
man-made debris objects.
Electro-optical
technologies that can
zoom in on specific
objects form a strong
complement to
radar-based systems like
the U.S. Air Force's
Space Fence, which will
sweep the sky and track
200,000 objects.
Drawing on advanced
sensors and software,
the new site will focus
on specific objects and
determine how fast
they're moving, what
direction they're
spinning, and what
they're made of.
"Ground-based space
situational awareness is
a growing priority for
government and
commercial organizations
around the world that
need to protect their
investments in space,"
said
Rick Ambrose,
executive vice
president, Lockheed
Martin Space Systems.
"Through this agreement
with Electro Optic
Systems, we'll offer
customers a clearer
picture of the objects
that could endanger
their satellites, and do
so with great precision
and cost-effectiveness."
"The partnership with
Lockheed Martin will
help both organizations
establish a global
network of space
sensors, while
simultaneously
increasing the market
reach of the partners'
data and services," said
Electro Optic Systems
Chief Executive Officer
Ben Greene.
"We consider the
strategic partnership
with Lockheed Martin a
major step towards the
achievement of critical
mass of sensors, data
and services, all of
which are critical in
providing detailed yet
easily usable
information on space
debris."
Electro Optic Systems
develops and produces a
wide range of
space-related
technologies including
telescopes and beam
directors. They are
among the largest
producers of major
optical telescopes in
the world, and currently
operate the Space
Research Centre, a
satellite laser ranging
and debris tracking
facility, at Mt. Stromlo
in the Australian
Capital Territory.
Headquartered in
Bethesda, Maryland,
Lockheed Martin is a
global security and
aerospace company that
employs approximately
113,000 people worldwide
and is principally
engaged in the research,
design, development,
manufacture,
integration, and
sustainment of advanced
technology systems,
products and services.
The Corporation's net
sales for 2013 were
$45.4 billion.
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