Look Up and Skynopy announced a partnership to deploy automated satellite collision avoidance services, addressing one of the most pressing challenges in orbital operations as megaconstellations continue expanding.
The collaboration combines Look Up's conjunction assessment and tracking capabilities with Skynopy's autonomous maneuvering platform. Together, the companies will offer operators real-time warnings and automated decision-making systems to prevent collisions between active satellites and debris in increasingly crowded orbital zones.
Orbital traffic has accelerated dramatically with the deployment of thousands of satellites by SpaceX's Starlink, Amazon's Project Kuiper, and other operators. Each active satellite shares space with defunct equipment and fragmentation from past missions and anti-satellite tests. The European Space Agency estimates over 34,000 tracked objects larger than 10 centimeters orbit Earth, with millions of smaller particles creating unpredictable hazards.
Current collision avoidance relies on manual coordination between operators and ground stations, a process that consumes significant resources and introduces delays. Automated systems compress response times from hours to seconds, enabling satellites to execute course corrections before dangerous encounters occur.
Look Up specializes in processing orbital surveillance data to identify collision risks with high precision. Skynopy develops autonomous onboard systems that allow satellites to make immediate maneuvers without waiting for ground station approval. Their integration creates a closed-loop system where detection triggers instantaneous response.
The partnership addresses regulatory gaps in space traffic management. As the number of orbital operators grows, coordinating avoidance through traditional channels becomes impractical. Autonomous systems operate within pre-approved decision parameters, reducing bureaucratic friction while maintaining safety standards.
Both companies operate in a sector gaining government support. The U.S. Space Force, through the Space Operations Command, has prioritized space traffic coordination. The Federal Communications Commission now requires satellite operators to demonstrate collision avoidance capabilities before license approval.