ESA Tests Neuraspace Space Traffic Management Services
ESA Tests Neuraspace Space Traffic Management Services
Plans Include Continued Evolution of STM Technologies and Services
ESA has awarded a contract to offer and integrate its space traffic management solutions for a number of its diverse missions to Neuraspace, a European company specializing in space traffic management (STM). The partnership between ESA and Neuraspace will address an increasing number of new STM technologies and services and potentially the adaptation to new external ‘rules of the road’ for STM.
“If not managed properly, resident space objects ultimately threaten the economically vital Earth orbits to become unusable.”
Klaus Merz, ESA
The Neuraspace STM solution will be integrated and deployed within ESA’s Space Debris Office STM tool suite. ESA SDO will use the Neuraspace service on a daily basis for assessment of close approaches of ESA satellites for a set of ESA missions operated from the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC). These ESOC operated missions encompass diverse satellites with different operational conditions which provide a wonderful testing and validation ground for STM technologies and services.
The company will work closely with ESA to further its solution, enhancing the overall functionality for a diverse set of missions and their requirements. The collaboration for new STM services between the two partners includes on-the-ground as well as in-space components. This will ensure continued evolution, improvement and innovation of space traffic management technologies.
In return, Neuraspace will expand its in-depth knowledge and incorporate improved functionality to its solution and increase its scalability. As a result, Neuraspace will be able to deliver more comprehensive and scalable solutions and services to all of its customers, globally.
“Working with Neuraspace reflects ESA's strong commitment to foster commercialization and the development of a market, enhancing space sustainability, and innovating future orbital safety through NewSpace-technology," said Klaus Merz, ESA's Senior Collision Avoidance Analyst. “ESOC is home to our Space Safety program, focused on the perils in space that threaten critical components of our modern society. If not managed properly, resident space objects ultimately threaten the economically vital Earth orbits to become unusable. Using innovative STM solutions like these offered by Neuraspace allows us to reduce risks and contributes to protecting our space assets.”
"The deployment of our STM solution across various missions is testimony to ESA’s confidence in Neuraspace’s capabilities," said Chiara Manfletti, CEO of Neuraspace. "The collaboration will provide a significant opportunity for Neuraspace to embed learnings and refine and enhance our existing solution for both institutional and commercial needs. It will also allow us to benefit from ESA’s expertise and operational insights as a long-time and important space actor. The partnership between ESA and Neuraspace represents a significant step forward in the evolution of space traffic management and reinforces both organizations' commitment to innovation and space sustainability."
Founded in 2020, Neuraspace has raised nearly $2.8 million from Armilar Venture Partners and a further $27.86 million for sensor infrastructure and its growth strategy with the support of the Recovery and Resilience Plan and NextGenerationEU Funds.