Joint Paper Compares SSA Services Provided by TraCSS, EU SST

At this week’s Advanced Maui Optical Surveillance (AMOS) Conference, the Office of Space Commerce (OSC) and the European Union (EU) released a joint paper comparing the services provided by OSC’s Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) and the EU Space Surveillance and Tracking (EU SST) capability.

Both TraCSS and EU SST, in partnership with the commercial SSA industry, will offer free space situational awareness (SSA) services to spacecraft operators worldwide to prevent in-orbit collisions. The new study, conducted by personnel from both programs, highlights similarities and differences between the two systems.

A detailed breakdown reveals significant alignment between TraCSS and EU SST, particularly in collision avoidance services (see table). Some differences remain in the availability of maneuver screenings and anomaly reporting. The study also identifies potential future developments, such as launch collision avoidance and improved operator ephemeris, aimed at addressing the evolving needs of the space industry.

EU SST & TraCSS Services Comparison Summary Table (as of August 2024)

ServiceEU SSTTraCSS
1. SSA Information as a Service
1.1 Contact informationNoYes
1.2 Satellite attributesNoYes
1.3 O/O ephemerides with planned maneuversNoYes
1.4 Catalog of space objectsFuture PhaseYes
2. In-Orbit Collision Avoidance Service
2.1 Routine catalog and O/O ephemerides screening and CDM productionYesYes
2.2 Risk Assessment and Detection and Notification of High Interest Events/Emergency EventsYesYes
2.3 Additional tracking on the secondary and/or primary objectsYesYes
2.4 Basic CAM Options for selection by O/O²YesYes
2.5 Candidate CAM ScreeningYesYes
2.6 For selected HIE/Emergency Events, dialogue with O/OYesYes
3. Candidate Maneuver ScreeningNoYes
4. Spacecraft Anomaly ReportingNoYes
5. Reentry Monitoring ServiceYesFuture Phase
6. Fragmentation Notification and Analysis ServiceYesYes (Notification Only)
7. Potential Future Services Under Consideration
7.1 Launch Collision Avoidance serviceTBDFuture Phase
7.2 Improved O/O EphemeridesTBDTBD
7.3 Space Weather Information and Atmospheric Drag ModelNoTBD
7.4 Traffic Coordination Platform as a ServiceTBDTBD

This study represents a step toward greater transparency and collaboration as the space sector continues to grow. The TraCSS and EU SST teams are committed to continuing their work with global partners to promote space safety and sustainability.

Space debris and collision avoidance are challenges for all spacecraft, regardless of their nation of registry. As laid out in the Office of Space Commerce’s Vision for Global SSA Collaboration, international cooperation is key to enhancing data consistency, coverage, and transparency. The joint paper, titled A Technical Comparison of the Public SSA Services in the United States and the European Union,” builds on this vision.

It will also be published at https://amostech.com/amos-technical-papers/

Update:

A Technical Comparison of the Public SSA Services in the United States and the European Union | Earth with U.S. and Europe highlighted, and various orbital trajectories around it | Logos of DOC, NOAA, OSC, EU, and EU SST | Names of 6 authors

On September 19, 2024, Dr. Mariel Borowitz delivered a presentation about the joint paper at AMOS.

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