NorthStar's situational awareness satellite constellation set for first launch

NorthStar's situational awareness satellite constellation set for first launch
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 29, 2024

Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE: SPIR), a renowned global provider of space-based data, analytics, and space services, has recently announced an exciting new mission. The company is set to launch four satellites dedicated to Space Situational Awareness (SSA) for NorthStar Earth and Space, a significant step in commercial space surveillance. This mission, named 'Four of a Kind,' is scheduled to lift off on January 28, between 19:15-20:00 NZT (January 18 between 06:15-07:00 UTC) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand.

Peter Platzer, CEO of Spire Global, expressed the significance of this mission: "The upcoming launch of the first commercial space situational awareness constellation for NorthStar symbolizes more than just a technological achievement; it's a reflection of our shared dedication to addressing sustainability in space." Platzer highlighted Spire's role in facilitating business in space through its Space as a Service model, which has enabled companies like NorthStar to quickly bring to market solutions for Earth and space challenges.

The mission involves the delivery of NorthStar's first SSA satellites to low Earth orbit (LEO), marking NorthStar as the first commercial SSA provider to actively monitor space from space. These satellites are designed to monitor all near-Earth orbits, providing an enhanced level of SSA services.

The data acquired will be crucial for various applications, including space object detection, tracking, orbit determination, collision avoidance, navigation, and proximity alerts. This information is vital for maintaining the safety and sustainability of space activities, as the number of objects in Earth's orbit continues to grow.

Stewart Bain, CEO of NorthStar, reflected on the collaboration and its broader implications: "Our success is rooted in this collaboration. We are working together to make significant contributions to the sustainability of space, and this first launch of NorthStar's transformational space-based SSA services is only the beginning." Bain also noted the potential inspirational impact of this mission on young people and the importance of making contributions that benefit future generations.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck commented on the partnership with Spire: "To launch an advanced mission like this with Spire as a mission partner is a real privilege, as they were on our very first orbital mission in 2018." Beck's statement underscores the ongoing collaborative efforts in the space industry to pioneer new technologies and capabilities.