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The passive radar technology company has unveiled a new space domain awareness and space traffic management solution.
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Silentium Defence has announced the launch of its “observatory-in-a-box” technology, designed and built in Australia.
The technology leverages a full field of view, MAVERICK S passive radar for detection and tracking of objects in low-Earth orbit, as well as custom built, off-grid cabins.
This is tipped to provide rapid, covert surveillance of space, enhancing space domain awareness and space traffic management capability.
According to Dr James Palmer, CEO Silentium Defence, the offering “addresses the biggest challenge in low-Earth orbit observation to date”.
He continued: “Existing radars and observatories are high-cost, fixed infrastructure assets that can take years to build and cost tens to hundreds of millions to bring online and operate.
“Low-Earth orbit has never been more dynamic, congested and contested than it is today, and this trend is set to continue.
“That environment demands more agile, deployable solutions that can be dropped in and switched-on whenever and wherever you require surveillance of the sky, up to low-Earth orbit, and everything in between.”
Dr Palmer said the solution would enable “more agile and accurate data collection”, supporting “informed decision making” across the air and space domains.
Silentium’s “observatory in a box” can reportedly be deployed from cabin in just hours, acting as independent sensors in strategic locations or networked to provide custody across wide areas of operation.
Kim Scott, chair of the board of directors at Silentium Defence, noted the importance of the capability in an increasingly contested low-Earth orbit environment.
“Exponential increases in new resident space objects combined with a deteriorating geopolitical landscape makes for a high-risk and high-stakes operating environment,” Scott said.
“Gaps in catalogued data and arcs of space we can’t currently watch offer greater opportunity for nefarious activities that put our critical space-based services and assets at risk.
“Smart, agile, cost-effective solutions that can fill gaps in current capability and support targeted operations are precisely what’s needed to ensure safe and sustained access to space. That’s what this capability offers, and it is what the market needs.”
[Related: REDARC CEO joins board of Silentium Defence]
