spacex and leolabs partner up for tracking of starlink satellite deployments

SpaceX has established a commercial agreement with LeoLabs, a company specializing in tracking objects in orbit, to monitor SpaceX’s Starlink satellites as they are deployed and navigate their orbits. This collaboration allows LeoLabs to begin tracking newly launched Starlink satellites immediately after release, providing SpaceX with prompt information regarding their position and flight path during the critical initial days following each launch.

LeoLabs offers a quicker acquisition of data from groups of newly operational Starlink satellites compared to alternative methods, a capability particularly valuable as SpaceX routinely launches these satellites in sets of 60.

According to LeoLabs, this is a summary of the services they are providing to SpaceX under this partnership:

This operational partnership began in March of this year, meaning LeoLabs has already been providing tracking support for several Starlink deployment missions. They will continue to offer this service for all future launches. SpaceX receives prompt orbital data on its Starlink satellites within hours of launch, with LeoLabs stating it can generally provide data within one hour of a Starlink satellite’s passage over one of its radar facilities.

LeoLabs has recently gained attention for its work in tracking potential collisions in low Earth orbit, including a recent close encounter where two objects missed each other by only 11 meters earlier this month. With the increasing congestion of low Earth orbit – significantly influenced by SpaceX’s plans to substantially expand its Starlink constellation – the demand for LeoLabs’ services to facilitate effective space traffic management is expected to increase.