leolabs raises $65m series b for its satellite monitoring and collision detection service

The Increasing Challenge of Space Debris in Low Earth Orbit

Low Earth orbit is becoming increasingly populated, not just with operational satellites, but also with debris and discarded materials. The rapid growth in the number of satellites, coupled with decreasing launch costs, is exacerbating this situation. This presents potential hazards for satellite operators, as their spacecraft face the risk of collisions with other satellites or the numerous objects already present in orbit.

LeoLabs' Response to the Orbital Data Gap

Historically, the tracking of space debris was primarily conducted by governmental and military organizations. However, this approach didn't provide a comprehensive or widely available picture of the orbital environment. Founded in 2016, LeoLabs was established to address this “data deficit” in orbital object tracking.

The company is now poised to expand its capabilities following a $65 million Series B funding round, led by Insight Partners and Velvet Sea Ventures. This investment brings LeoLabs’ total funding to over $100 million.

How LeoLabs Tracks Orbital Objects

LeoLabs employs a network of ground-based phased array radars – located in Alaska, Texas, New Zealand (two sites), and Costa Rica (two sites) – to continuously monitor low Earth orbit. These radars track and measure any object passing through their observational range.

A key advantage of LeoLabs’ system is its ability to detect significantly smaller objects than traditional methods. It can identify objects as small as 2 centimeters in diameter, compared to the 10 centimeter limit of older detection systems.

The Significance of Smaller Debris Tracking

The difference in detection scale is substantial. While approximately 17,000 objects 10 centimeters or larger are currently in orbit, this number increases dramatically to 250,000 when tracking objects from 2 centimeters. This heightened level of detail reveals a much greater potential for collisions.

Even though 2 centimeters seems small – less than an inch – objects traveling at orbital velocities can inflict catastrophic damage. Customers gain access to this crucial information through a subscription service that provides automated alerts regarding potential collision risks.

Generating and Utilizing Orbital Data

“There just isn’t much information about what’s going on,” explained Dan Ceperley, CEO and co-founder of LeoLabs, in an interview with TechCrunch. “Therefore, we are deploying a global radar network to generate extensive data, and then developing the necessary software infrastructure to make that data actionable.”

LeoLabs currently identifies around three to five close approaches involving larger objects each week. These events are significant because a collision could generate thousands of smaller fragments, further contributing to the problem of space junk.

Tracking smaller objects reveals up to 20 times more potential collision risks. Fortunately, many satellites are equipped with electric thrusters that can be used to avoid collisions or maintain their orbital position. With sufficient warning, satellite operators can maneuver their spacecraft days before a predicted collision.

Future Expansion and Innovation

The new funding will enable LeoLabs to expand its global network of radar sites and enhance its software-as-a-service offerings. While the company already achieves complete orbital coverage, additional radars will increase the frequency of object tracking.

LeoLabs will also be expanding its software and data science teams – currently the largest within the company – establishing new locations outside the U.S., and introducing new products and services.

A New Era in Space Services

“A revolutionary shift is underway in the space industry,” Ceperley stated. “Decreased launch costs, coupled with advancements in satellite technology, have led to a surge in the number of satellites entering low Earth orbit. This necessitates a new generation of services to effectively track these assets.”

“We are developing the next-generation tracking and mapping service for this new era,” he concluded.