AFWERX funds LeoLabs radar tech for security in space

LeoLabs has been has been selected by AFWERX to develop next-generation radar technology to counter security threats in space. The SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) Phase II contract is worth $1.2 million.

AFWERX – part of the U.S. Department of the Air Force (DAF) and working with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) – is described as an innovation programme, an accelerator involving commercial companies addressing DAF challenges.

The Californian company, a Space Situational Awareness specialist, will be developing an S-band 2-D Direct Radiating Array (DRA), increasing the ability to track small debris and “non-cooperative” launches.

“As the number of adversarial satellites in space dramatically increases year over year, we are committed to supporting the U.S. Department of Defense’s efforts to enhance tracking of non-cooperative launches, smaller orbital debris, and objects in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO),” said LeoLabs CEO Tony Frazier.

“We are dedicated to enhancing the resiliency of space architectures and strengthening deterrence to ensure U.S. national security.”

LeoLabs has developed a 24/7 global radar network to provide continuous monitoring, and it highlights its use AI to provide insights into the data. Its space monitoring, cloud-based system is used by New Zealand’s Space Agency, we recently reported.

For example, the Kiwi Space Radar (KSR) pictured, the third radar in the company’s network, is a phased array radar based on LeoLabs’ S-band technology and consists of multiple one-dimensional phased array radar systems.

Image: LeoLabs

See also: LeoLabs raises $29m for Space Situational Awareness