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LuxIMPULSE awards NorthStar Earth & Space a contract to Accelerate SSA Commercial Products to Improve Space Sustainability

Sept 7th, 2023

NorthStar Earth & Space Inc., announced the signing of a commercial product development contract funded by the Government of Luxembourg through an agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA) in LuxIMPULSE, the Luxembourg National Space Programme. LuxIMPULSE, with a focus on research, development and innovation in the space sector, is managed by the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA) in conjunction with the ESA to support companies established in Luxembourg as they bring innovative ideas to market.

NorthStar will receive funding from LuxIMPULSE to develop cutting-edge tools and applications for space traffic mapping, close approach warning, and global space hazard risk assessment vital for fleet management, future mission planning and insurance considerations. The objective is to advance development rapidly in order to address the growing need for improved observation, up-to-date knowledge and precise navigation tools, necessary to safeguard assets in an increasingly congested space environment.

"NorthStar is grateful and privileged to receive this important strategic support from LuxIMPULSE to accelerate the development of our next-generation solutions for Space Situational Awareness with a focus right here in Luxembourg " said Stewart Bain, Founder & CEO. "Luxembourg has taken a visionary and pro-active approach by making space sustainability a key element in its space strategy. The range of programs which Luxembourg offers to incentivize the space economy also encourages companies in the space sector to join forces within the research community to develop their expertise together.

This strategic approach will undoubtedly benefit not only individual companies, but also the wider industry as a whole."

“The economic sustainability of space activities is directly linked to the primary objective pursued in developing commercial space in Luxembourg.” Said Franz Fayot, Minister of Economy of Luxembourg.

“By supporting the innovative activities of NorthStar, we both continue to develop our national space expertise and to promote on a global scale a responsible approach to activities in Space.”

"The Luxembourg Space Agency is pleased to support the growth of the Luxembourg space ecosystem by encouraging innovative companies like NorthStar,” said Marc Serres, CEO Luxembourg Space Agency. “Space sustainability is one of the pillars of our space strategy and NorthStar is a leader in this key domain. This partnership will create quality jobs in Luxembourg and is an excellent example of how Luxembourg is committed to promoting and investing in the sustainable commercialization of space activities.”.

The proliferation of space debris and other threats to space assets represent a serious danger to the safety and sustainability of space flight, the growing space economy and vital services for critical communications, precise navigation, earth monitoring and protection, and defence. NorthStar’s unique, high-fidelity space-based SSA services will counter this threat by providing unparalleled coverage across all orbits from LEO to MEO, GEO and Cis-Lunar with unprecedented speed and accuracy, allowing operators to safely manage and preserve their assets. Luxembourg’s vibrant space eco-system offers the ideal innovative environment, talent and expertise to develop this groundbreaking technology further. NorthStar is already collaborating closely with Luxembourg-based SES and Spire Global and will continue to work with other members of the Luxembourg space community to strengthen the country’s leading position in Space Security and Sustainability.