ESA tests space traffic management services from Neuraspace

Plans include continued evolution of STM technologies and services

Paris, France, and Coimbra, Portugal, 16 September 2024 – The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded Neuraspace, a European-born global leader in space traffic management (STM), with a contract to offer and integrate its space traffic management solutions for a number of ESA’s diverse missions. The partnership between ESA and Neuraspace will address an increasing number of new STM technologies and services and potentially the adaptation to new external ‘rules of the road’ for STM.

Neuraspace’s STM solution will be integrated and deployed within ESA’s Space Debris Office STM tool suite. ESA SDO will use the Neuraspace service on a daily basis for assessment of close approaches of ESA satellites for a set of ESA missions operated from the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC). These ESOC operated missions encompass diverse satellites with different operational conditions which provide a wonderful testing and validation ground for STM technologies and services.

Neuraspace will work closely with ESA to further its solution, enhancing the overall functionality for a diverse set of missions and their requirements. The collaboration for new STM services between the two partners includes on-the-ground as well as in-space components. This will ensure continued evolution, improvement and innovation of space traffic management technologies.

In return, Neuraspace will expand its in-depth knowledge and incorporate improved functionality to its solution and increase its scalability. As a result, Neuraspace will be able to deliver more comprehensive and scalable solutions and services to all of its customers, globally.

Klaus Merz, Senior Collision Avoidance Analyst, said: “Working with Neuraspace reflects ESA's strong commitment to foster commercialisation and the development of a market, enhancing space sustainability, and innovating future orbital safety through NewSpace-technology.

“ESOC is home to our Space Safety programme, focussed on the perils in space that threaten critical components of our modern society. If not managed properly, resident space objects ultimately threaten the economically vital Earth orbits to become unusable. Using innovative STM solutions like these offered by Neuraspace allows us to reduce risks and contributes to protecting our space assets.”

Chiara Manfletti, CEO of Neuraspace, said: "The deployment of our STM solution across various missions is testimony to ESA’s confidence in Neuraspace’s capabilities. The collaboration will provide a significant opportunity for Neuraspace to embed learnings and refine and enhance our existing solution for both institutional and commercial needs. It will also allow us to benefit from ESA’s expertise and operational insights as a long-time and important space actor.

“The partnership between ESA and Neuraspace represents a significant step forward in the evolution of space traffic management and reinforces both organisations' commitment to innovation and space sustainability."

For more information, please contact media@neuraspace.com

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About Neuraspace

Established in 2020, Neuraspace is a European-born company that provides solutions and services to more than 300 commercial satellites with established operators in the market to make space safe, secure, and sustainable. Neuraspace offers real-time automated space traffic management, routine space mission support software and resilient mission design, focusing on sustainability. They also leverage new-age technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to process data, automate processes, and offer valuable insights. The company’s SaaS platform facilitates coordination among satellite operators, while their Data-as-a-Service product offers comprehensive space situational awareness.

Neuraspace has raised 2.5 million euros from Armilar Venture Partners and a further 25 million euros for sensor infrastructure and its growth strategy with the support of the Recovery and Resilience Plan and NextGenerationEU Funds. To know more, visit www.neuraspace.com or check out our LinkedIn.