Spaceflux has recently been awarded the “Infra-Red Sensor Technology Demonstrator System for Space Domain Awareness” contract by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), a UK Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) executive agency.

Spaceflux is a UK-based company founded in 2022 with the aim of tackling the problem of space congestion in view of rising satellite deployment.

Leveraging a proprietary optical sensor network and a unique, AI-driven analytics platform, the company provides unparalleled tracking and mapping services of space objects. Spaceflux’s goal is to reduce congestion and create a safer space environment and ensure a sustainable space environment for future generations.

Spaceflux are currently part of the ESA Business Incubation Centre UK, based at Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire and are due to graduate from the programme in March 2025. Since being on the programme, Spaceflux have had multiple successes including the growth of their team to over 25 in line with their incubation plan, they have also established several new ground observation sites and have won multiple contracts with key customers.

Since 2023, the company has become the only contracted commercial provider of geostationary satellite tracking data for the UK MoD and the UK Space Agency.

The contract to design and build an infrared telescope testbed to de-risk the technology for ground-based surveillance and characterisation of satellites marks a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to advancing SSA capabilities and reinforces the firm’s position as a world leader in SSA. This project will be led by Spaceflux’s new innovation hub, Spaceflux Labs, a dedicated research division that will propel the future of SSA technology.

As part of the project, Spaceflux will enhance its existing data analytics platform, Cortex, to further improve the characterisation of space objects.

The new infrared sensor system will be installed at the firm’s observatory in Spain, a strategic location that benefits from optimal weather conditions for infrared observations. Following the installation, Spaceflux will conduct a series of experiments over several months, and the results will be delivered to Dstl for assessment.

“Winning this Dstl contract is a testament to Spaceflux’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of space technology. By integrating innovative sensor technologies with our AI-driven analytics platform, CORTEX, we are poised to advance the UK’s capabilities in Space Domain Awareness significantly.”

Marco Rocchetto, CEO of Spaceflux