From Ars Technica · · 1m 40s
Anduril's satellite sees adversaries move in Earth's shadow
A new infrared sensor on orbit can track spacecraft maneuvering in darkness, filling a gap in US space surveillance.
In brief
A new infrared sensor on orbit can track spacecraft maneuvering in darkness, filling a gap in US space surveillance. Anduril demonstrated a long-wave infrared satellite sensor that can track other spacecraft during orbital eclipse, when ground-based optical sensors cannot see them. Originally reported by Ars Technica.
Anduril launches infrared tracker
Anduril Industries launched a satellite called Anduril-216 on a SpaceX rideshare mission in July carrying a long-wave infrared sensor designed to track other spacecraft in orbit.
The satellite orbits in darkness
Anduril-216 flies about 590 kilometres above Earth, spending about one-third of each orbit in darkness where its infrared imager can observe other objects without solar interference.
Infrared sees in full dark
The sensor uses long-wave infrared to detect heat signatures from spacecraft even during eclipse periods. It has very low solar exclusion and can see things in full dark.
“we can see things in full dark”
Filling a surveillance gap
Ground-based optical sensors cannot track satellites during Earth's shadow. The Space Force loses temporary custody of spacecraft if they maneuver in orbital night, creating a tracking blind spot.
Why the military needs this
The Space Force tracks satellites to detect if adversaries move them in threatening ways and to issue collision alerts to global operators. Currently it cannot see satellites not illuminated by the Sun.
Anduril's business model
Anduril will not build its own satellites. Instead it buys third-party platforms like those from Apex Space and integrates sensor and compute modules to perform different missions in space.
Selling data, not hardware
Anduril's current focus is acquiring space domain awareness data for sale to the US military, not selling entire satellites or sensors. The company said this could change in the future.
“At present, Anduril is not offering this system as a merchant supplier”
The short version
Anduril demonstrated a long-wave infrared satellite sensor that can track other spacecraft during orbital eclipse, when ground-based optical sensors cannot see them.
