LeoLabs

LeoLabs, based in California, specializes in space situational awareness, providing advanced tracking and monitoring services for satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). LeoLabs employs a global network of phased-array radars for real-time data delivery, supporting satellite operators, commercial enterprises, and government agencies. 

Its key offering is its platform, LeoLabs Vertex™, which provides comprehensive solutions for monitoring and managing satellites in LEO. 

The system integrates a global phased-array radar network, located across six sites including the US, New Zealand, Portugal, Costa Rica, and Australia, which provide continuous, all-weather tracking capabilities. The radars are electronically steered with no moving parts, ensuring reliability and longevity. They track a wide range of objects, from large satellites to small debris, enhancing space situational awareness and safety.

Key services within the LeoLabs Vertex™ platform include (1) LeoTrack for precise satellite tracking, (2) LeoSafe for collision avoidance, (3) LeoLaunch for identifying new payloads, (4) LeoRisk for mission risk assessment, (5) LeoGuard for defense applications, and (6) LeoClear for real-time conjunction screenings for launch windows. 

LeoTrack is an advanced satellite tracking service featuring continuous tracking, real-time dashboards, and integration with applications including telemetry support, GPS calibration, maneuver validation, image scheduling, and debris removal planning.

LeoSafe provides real-time collision avoidance services for satellite operators, with features such as continuous search and identification of close approach events, real-time conjunction alerts, on-demand ephemeris screening, and comprehensive dashboards and reports. 

LeoLaunch offers support during the initial phase of satellite missions, including initial orbital element delivery, payload identification for rideshare missions, pre-launch coordination, and operational resiliency support. LeoRisk offers orbital collision risk assessments by calculating collision probabilities based on various parameters like altitude, inclination, size, and mission lifetime. The service features robust data visualizations and provides detailed risk summary reports. 

LeoGuard is designed for defense departments to enhance space domain awareness and protection with features such as prioritized radar tasking, mission planning with threat notifications, real-time neighborhood watch, and advanced analytics for threat engagement analysis. Finally, LeoClear offers real-time conjunction screenings for launch windows, enabling launch providers and regulatory agencies to screen multiple launch trajectory profiles against a dynamic catalog of over 20,000 objects in LEO. 

Key customers and partnerships

A noteworthy client of LeoLabs is SpaceX; LeoLabs helped track Starlink satellites during their initial deployment and orbital travel (Oct 2020). Others include the European Space Agency (ESA), the US Air Force, Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF), BlackSky, Maxar Technologies, Planet, and Swarm Technologies.

Partners of LeoLabs include the US defense contractor SAIC to jointly develop a space-tracking software platform (September 2023) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Office of Space Commerce (OSC) for the development of the Traffic Coordination System for Space ( TraCSS) (January 2024). Other partners include Aalriya, the Saudi Space Agency, ClearSpace, and the New Zealand Space Agency (NZSA).