Why Does This $13.3M Contract Matter?
If you think space is big enough that we don’t need to worry about traffic jams, think again.
With more satellites launching every year and debris from old missions cluttering up orbits, the risk of on-orbit collisions is growing.
That’s where TraCSS and Slingshot come in.
Slingshot Aerospace has been working with OSC for years to help build out expertise in using open-source data—gathered from commercial and non-military telescopes and radars—to predict potential collisions and warn satellite operators ahead of time.
Their work has included previous data-gathering initiatives, like the Consolidated Pathfinder project and other collaborations with NASA and the Pentagon.
A Win for Collaboration
This contract is a testament to how partnerships between public agencies and private companies can accelerate progress.
Originally, the Department of Defense managed space traffic coordination, but under Space Policy Directive 3 (SPD-3) issued in 2018, those duties were handed to OSC.
The TraCSS program is a critical step in this transition, with Slingshot playing a leading role.
“Deploying the TraCSS user interface is the next major step in operationalizing U.S. civil space traffic coordination, first codified in Space Policy Directive 3,” said Audrey Schaffer, Slingshot’s vice president of strategy and policy. “Slingshot is proud to partner with the Office of Space Commerce in delivering spaceflight safety services to the world.”
Looking Ahead
With the TraCSS interface in development, the goal is clear: make space safer and more manageable for everyone.
🚨Slingshot Orbital Alert 🚨
The Slingshot Global Sensor Network is actively tracking the debris cloud related to the October 19, 2024 breakup of Intelsat’s 33e (NORAD ID: 41748) GEO satellite at 60 degrees E. The satellite was eight years into its 15-year mission, having… pic.twitter.com/4tr3Y542ev
— Slingshot Aerospace (@sling_shot_aero) October 23, 2024
As the commercial space industry grows and near-Earth orbit becomes busier, tools like this will be essential for avoiding chaos. And thanks to Slingshot Aerospace, the future of space traffic control is looking a lot more user-friendly.
So, whether you’re a satellite operator or just someone curious about the growing challenges of managing space, keep an eye on TraCSS.gov—it might just be the tool that keeps the final frontier running smoothly.
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