The West Australian Space Radar site is fully operational, adding significant coverage of the southern hemisphere – an important step in LeoLabs’ expansion of its radar network
MENLO PARK, Calif., January 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — LeoLabs, the leading commercial provider of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) mapping services, has announced the commissioning of LeoLabs Western Australian Space Radar (WASR) . This radar site, located at Western Australiaadds critical coverage of the southern hemisphere in the Indo-Pacific region.
This graphic illustrates the additional coverage of the southern hemisphere enabled by LeoLabs West Australian Space Radar (WASR) and its Kiwi Space Radar (KSR).
WASR is the latest addition to the LeoLabs network of spaceborne phased array radars powering LeoLabs Vertex™, its vertically integrated space operations stack that enables tracking of resident space objects and characterization of events in LEO, such as conjunctions and maneuvers.
In collaboration with LeoLabs Kiwi Space Radar in the South Island of New Zealand, WASR will enable superior tracking and monitoring of mid-to-high inclination resident space objects in LEO. The two sites, equipped with a total of four S-band phased array radars, will also increase LeoLabs’ ability to discover new objects, including small deadly debris that is currently untraceable.
LeoLabs’ new radar site enables increased surveillance of the Southern Hemisphere in the Indo-Pacific region, an area where the United States and allied nations have historically lacked coverage and visibility. The LeoLabs Australia team is responsible for global Pacific daytime radar operations, orbital analysis and reporting – providing LeoLabs with continuous and comprehensive coverage and analysis of regional activity in LEO. Given the strategic importance of the region, LeoLabs will continue to make investments that align with decades of partnership and collaboration between Australia and United Statesas well as other Indo-Pacific countries.
“Australia now hosts a landmark in the world of space security,” said Dan Ceperley, CEO of LeoLabs. “We at LeoLabs are honored and humbled to be part of the Australian space ecosystem and to have found so many supporters and partners in Australia.”
With the addition of West Australian Space Radar, LeoLabs’ global network has grown to include 10 independent radars at six operational sites, with plans for expansion in 2023 and 2024.
LeoLabs is transforming the way satellite operators, commercial enterprises and federal agencies around the world launch and track missions in low Earth orbit. Through its vertically integrated technology system, LeoLabs Vertex™, LeoLabs provides the superior information needed to succeed in today’s space race. With unparalleled LEO coverage, real-time tracking, and powerful insights, businesses and governments rely on LeoLabs to safely innovate and execute a wide range of operations in space.
SOURCELeoLabs, Inc.
