PARIS – The European Space Agency plans to test space traffic management services offered by Portuguese startup Neuraspace.
Under a contract announced Sept. 16, ESA’s Space Debris Office will integrate Neuraspace services with its existing tools to assess conjunctions at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Germany.
The Neuraspace contract shows ESA’s “strong commitment” to supporting the commercial space sector, “enhancing space sustainability, and innovating future orbital safety,” Klaus Merz, senior collision avoidance analyst for ESA’s Space Safety Program Office, said in a statement.
ESA’s Space Safety Program is focused “on the perils in space that threaten critical components of our modern society,” Merz added. “If not managed properly, resident space objects ultimately threaten the economically vital Earth orbits to become unusable.”
By relying on commercial services from Neuraspace and others, ESA seeks “to reduce risks and contribute to protecting our space assets,” Merz said.
Enhanced ServicesFor Neuraspace, collaboration with ESOC will provide an opportunity to “refine and enhance our existing solution for both institutional and commercial needs,” Neuraspace CEO Chiara Manfletti said in a statement. “It will also allow us to benefit from ESA’s expertise and operational insights as a long-time and important space actor.”
The value of the ESA contract was not disclosed.
On Sept. 10, Neuraspace announced work with the Portuguese Air Force focused on space situational awareness, surveillance and tracking. Neuraspace unveiled its first optical telescope at an airbase in Beja, Portugal. Funding for the telescope was provided by the European Commission as part of Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan.
In March, Neuraspace released a free version of its space traffic management platform to encourage collaboration among spacecraft operators.