Silentium Defence has announced the launch of its “observatory-in-a-box” technology, designed and built in Australia.
The observatory combines Silentium’s full field of view, MAVERICK S passive radar for detection and tracking of objects in low-Earth orbit with a custom-built off-grid cabin.
The purpose of the deployable observatory is to improve the space domain awareness and space traffic management capabilities of the industry with an efficient and low-cost system.
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Another benefit of the observatories will be their ability to provide rapid and covert surveillance of space, a feature usually unattainable for costly fixed infrastructure that can require years of development before operational.
According to Dr James Palmer, CEO of Silentium Defence, the offering “addresses the biggest challenge in low-Earth orbit observation to date”.
“Existing radars and observatories are high-cost, fixed infrastructure assets that can take years to build and cost tens to hundreds of millions to bring online and operate,” he continued.
“Low-Earth orbit has never been more dynamic, congested and contested than it is today, and this trend is set to continue.
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“That environment demands more agile, deployable solutions that can be dropped in and switched-on whenever and wherever you require surveillance of the sky, up to low-Earth orbit, and everything in between.”
Dr Palmer said the solution would enable “more agile and accurate data collection”, supporting “informed decision making” across the air and space domains.
Silentium’s “observatory in a box” can reportedly be deployed from cabin to operational in just hours, acting as independent sensors in strategic locations or networked to provide custody across wide areas of operation.
Kim Scott, chair of the board of directors at Silentium Defence, noted the importance of the capability in an increasingly contested low-Earth orbit environment.
“Exponential increases in new resident space objects combined with a deteriorating geopolitical landscape makes for a high-risk and high-stakes operating environment,” Scott said.
“Gaps in catalogued data and arcs of space we can’t currently watch offer greater opportunity for nefarious activities that put our critical space-based services and assets at risk.
“Smart, agile, cost-effective solutions that can fill gaps in current capability and support targeted operations are precisely what’s needed to ensure safe and sustained access to space. That’s what this capability offers, and it is what the market needs.”
Liam McAneny
Liam McAneny is a journalist who has written and edited for his University International Relations journal. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (International Relations) and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Wollongong in 2021. He joined Momentum Media in 2022 and currently writes for SpaceConnect and Australian Aviation. Liam has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations as well as astronomy.
Send Liam an email at: [email protected]
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